Food safety vaccine to control Salmonella enterica and reduce campylobacter in poultry

ABSTRACT

Described herein are compositions and methods for making and using recombinant bacteria that are capable of regulated attenuation, regulated expression of one or more antigens of interest, and/or N-glycan modification of secreted/surface antigens.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 national stage filing of International Application No. PCT/US2018/015438, filed on Jan. 26, 2018, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/451,146, filed on Jan. 27, 2017. The entire contents of each of the foregoing applications is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

This application contains a Sequence Listing in computer readable form, which has been submitted electronically via EFS-web in ASCII format. Said ASCII copy, created on Jan. 21, 2021, is named 130667-00202_Seq_Listing and is 170,765 bytes in size. The computer readable form of the sequence listing is part of the specification or is otherwise incorporated herein by reference.

GOVERNMENTAL RIGHTS

This invention was made with government support under Grant No. 12229724 awarded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture. The government has certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND

Foodborne human pathogens are a major public health problem. In particular, Campylobacter and Salmonella are leading causes of bacterial foodborne disease worldwide. Campylobacter gastroenteritis is associated with poor handling of raw chicken or consumption of undercooked chicken. (1)(2) Domestic poultry supply, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, is frequently infected with C. jejuni and C. coli. (3) Salmonella human infections are associated, in part, with the ingestion of foods contaminated by animal feces or cross-contaminated by other sources, including poultry. (4)(5) The increasing consumption of poultry and poultry products has rendered foodborne diseases associated with poultry a significant public health concern.

Strategies for controlling Campylobacter and Salmonella in poultry include the administration of antibiotics. However, the overuse of antibiotics and the risk of developing antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains has decreased interest in the use of antibiotics for these purposes. Thus, poultry vaccination has emerged as an important strategy to mitigate the prevalence of at least these two foodborne pathogens in poultry supplies.

Recombinant attenuated Salmonella vaccines (RASVs) have been developed as vaccines and antigen delivery systems to stimulate protective immune responses against a multitude of antigens. Improved RASVs that are engineered to include inducible promoter-regulated pathogenic attributes have been recently developed. Improvements in this technology has included the development of Regulated Delayed Attenuated RASVs (RDA RASVs) which are grown in vitro in the presence of an inducer (e.g., a sugar) to induce the expression of genes associated with pathogenesis. Upon administration to a subject, the RDA RASVs replicate with full virulence and colonize lymphoid tissues to induce potent immune responses. However, as the levels of inducer decreases within the subject and after multiple rounds of replication, the RDA RASVs become attenuated, thereby preventing further proliferation of the bacteria in vivo.

The use of RASVs for the prophylaxis and treatment of foodborne pathogens in poultry is particularly promising. However, new means to enhance the immunogenicity and safety of the vaccines in vivo are necessary. RASVs and pharmaceutical compositions capable of inducing potent immune responses to multiple foodborne pathogens in poultry are particularly desirable.

SUMMARY

The instant disclosure provides strains of recombinant bacteria, including Salmonella, with enhanced immunogenic properties and desirable safety features. The recombinant bacteria can be safely used to effectively deliver antigenic compounds to a subject (e.g., poultry) in order to mount potent immunogenic responses against pathogens such as Campylobacter and Salmonella. These strains deliver multiple conserved protective Salmonella surface/secreted antigens and/or Campylobacter N-glycan modified surface/secreted antigens to induce protective immunity.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein is a recombinant derivative of a pathogenic bacterium, comprising regulated-delayed attenuation, a regulated-delayed synthesis of an antigen of interest, a regulated-delayed lysis in vivo phenotype, and synthesizing and delivering one or more protein antigens of C. jejuni.

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacteria described herein are capable of synthesizing and attaching a Campylobacter N-glycan to an antigen of interest in order to enhance the immunogenicity of the antigen in vivo. The recombinant bacteria may depend on two or three sugars to regulate the virulence phenotype of the bacteria by controlling the expression of multiple virulence genes and, optionally, the antigen of interest, as well as a regulated delayed lysis phenotype, allowing for biological containment and the enhancement of immunogenic properties. The dependence on multiple sugars enhances the safety of the recombinant bacteria, given the improbability that the organisms will encounter all sugars in a naturally-occurring environment. See PCT/US18/14860, filed on Jan. 23, 2018, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Specifically, the bacteria disclosed herein are based upon a recombinant attenuated Salmonella vaccine (RASV) derived from the highly avian virulent S. typhimurium UK-1 strain and can be used to synthesize and deliver multiple Campylobacter jejuni conserved protective protein antigens. Vaccination with these RASVs have been found to induce immunity against multiple Salmonella serotypes and C. jejuni infecting poultry. The instant disclosure further provides an innovative new RASV design strategy to generate these food safety vaccines that induce superior levels of protective immunity to several poultry pathogens. These RASV vectors were programed to undergo regulated delayed lysis in various cell compartments within the immunized animal to induce superior mucosal and systemic antibody and cellular immunities. In addition, these live RASVs display complete biological containment with no persistence in vivo and no survival if excreted. Widespread use of these RASVs is predicted to substantially reduce Salmonella and C. jejuni infections and ultimately eliminate C. jejuni colonization of chickens to reduce transmission of these pathogens through the food chain to humans. Furthermore, the use of these much improved vector systems will also decrease use of antibiotics during poultry husbandry and thus reduce the selective pressure for drug-resistant bacterial species that can also be transmitted through the food chain to humans.

The instant disclosure further provides a validated and highly immunogenic S. typhimurium UK-1 RASV that displays regulated delayed attenuation, regulated delayed synthesis of recombinant antigens and regulated delayed lysis phenotypes. Derivatives were constructed that are enabled to synthesize and deliver multiple C. jejuni protein antigens. Thus, because of the RASV's inability to synthesize the serotype-specific LPS 0-antigen in vivo to expose the LPS core that is the same in all, Salmonella serotypes induce cross protective immunity to most Salmonella serotypes while also delivering multiple C. jejuni protein antigens to induce superior protective immunity against C. jejuni.

The RASVs constructed were designed to display at the time of course spray or oral delivery to poultry the same attributes as the wild-type virulent UK-1 parent strain to contend with host defense strategies, and successfully invade through mucosal surfaces to efficiently colonize internal effector lymphoid tissues before displaying the attenuation phenotype, and thus the inability to induce any disease symptoms or impair or reduce growth. The RASVs reaching these internal tissues were found to gradually commence to serve as factories to synthesize protective C. jejuni antigens to be delivered by secretion and ultimately by lysis of the RASV. Since lysis is enabled to occur in diverse extracellular and intracellular compartments, desired mucosal, systematic antibody and cellular immune responses were induced. These innovative strategies provide a classical means of attenuation used previously that reduced immunogenicity because of impaired colonizing abilities of attenuated strains. In addition, these RASVs with the regulated delayed lysis phenotype display completed biological containment with no persistence of vaccine cells in vivo and no survivors if excreted.

In one aspect, disclosed herein is a recombinant derivative of a pathogenic bacterium comprising a regulated-delayed attenuation phenotype; a regulated-delayed expression of an antigen of interest; a regulated-delayed lysis in vivo phenotype; and which is capable of synthesizing and delivering one or more protein antigens of C. jejuni. In one embodiment, the bacterium further comprises mutations that cause display of the universal LPS core polysaccharide in vivo.

In one aspect, disclosed herein is a recombinant derivative of a pathogenic bacterium comprising a regulated-delayed attenuation phenotype; a regulated-delayed expression of an antigen of interest; a regulated-delayed lysis in vivo phenotype; and which is capable of synthesizing and delivering one or more protein antigens that display the Campylobacter jejuni N-glycan.

In one aspect, disclosed herein is a recombinant derivative of a pathogenic bacterium comprising a regulated-delayed attenuation phenotype; a regulated-delayed expression of an antigen of interest; a regulated-delayed lysis in vivo phenotype; and which is capable of synthesizing and delivering one or more protein antigens of C. jejuni and also displays the Campylobacter jejuni N-glycan.

In one embodiment, the bacterium comprises one or more Campylobacter pgl operon genes. In one embodiment, the one or more Campylobacter pgl operon genes are codon-optimized for expression in the bacterium.

In one embodiment, the bacterium is a Gram-negative bacterium. In one embodiment, the bacterium belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae.

In one embodiment, the antigen of interest is a Campylobacter antigen. In one embodiment, the Campylobacter antigen is an antigen selected from Table 4, or an antigen having homology or identity thereto, as described herein. In one embodiment, the antigen of interest is selected from the group consisting of Peb1, CjaA, Dps, TlyA, Omp18, Cj0998c, Cj0034c, Cj0168c, Cj0248, Peb3, CmeC, Cj0404, Cj0420, Cj0427, Cj0428, PorA, FlaA, CadF, and Cj1656c.

In one embodiment, the C. jejuni N-glycan is attached to the antigen of interest.

In one embodiment, the bacterium comprises insertion of all or part of the cj1433c gene into a deletion of the ompA gene to generate a fusion of the Cj1433c protein.

In one embodiment, the regulated-delayed attenuation is conferred by the gene fur or mntR.

In one embodiment, the regulated-delayed lysis in vivo phenotype is conferred by ΔP_(murA)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA, ΔasdA::TT araC P_(BAD) c2, or Δ(wza-wcaM) deletions or deletion/insertion mutations.

In one embodiment, the bacterium further comprises a mutation in the sifA gene.

In one embodiment, the bacterium further comprises a mutation in the relA gene.

In one aspect, disclosed herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant bacterium, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a second recombinant derivative of a pathogenic bacterium, wherein said bacterium comprises a nucleic acid encoding a second antigen of interest. In one embodiment, the second antigen of interest is a Salmonella antigen.

In one aspect, disclosed herein is a method for inducing protective immunity in an avian, the method comprising administering to the avian an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein.

Other aspects and iterations of the invention are described more thoroughly below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict proliferation assays of antigen-specific lymphocytes. In FIG. 1A, representative samples of splenic lymphocytes isolated from chickens immunized with the non-lysis vector control RASV χ11840(pYA3342) (G2), non-lysis RASV χ11442(pYA5301) (G3), non-lysis ΔsifA RASV χ11840(pYA5301) (G4), lysis vector control RASV χ11791(pYA3681) (G5), lysis RASV χ11730(pYA5293) (G6), and lysis ΔsifA RASV χ11791(pYA5293) (G7), were labeled with CSFE and stimulated with the Eimeria SO7 antigen. The proliferative lymphocyte population was defined by CFSE dilution. FIG. 1B presents a graphic analysis of cell proliferation in each group described in FIG. 1A. Bar, mean, and SD are the sum of 3 independent experiments each using three chickens per group. Asterisks represent significant differences between the groups as indicated (p<0.05). Also correlated with increased INF-γ and IL-2 production and increased CD4 and CD8 responses.

FIGS. 1C and 1D depict the induction of intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) against E. tenella SO7 in immunized chickens, either on day 35 post-immunization (FIG. 1C) or on day 42 post-immunization (FIG. 1D).

FIG. 2A depicts SO7-specific CD4 and CD8 proliferation analysis in non-lysis versus lysis RASVs without and with escape from SCV due to the ΔsifA mutation.

FIG. 2B depicts lymphocyte activation and cytokine secretion after in vitro homologous recall of splenic lymphocytes from chicks vaccinated with RASV vaccine strains.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict lysis vector maps. FIG. 3A—Lysis vector pYA4763, pBR ori. FIG. 3B—Lysis vector pG8R17 with improved bla SS, pBR ori.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict antigen productions in RASV strain χ12341.

FIG. 5 depicts western blot analyses of C. jejuni antigens in χ12452 S. typhimurium strain grown in L broth with 0.1% each of arabinose, rhamnose, and mannose with/without induction by 1 mM IPTG Monoclonal anti-poly-histidine antibody produced in mice was used for detection of antigens synthesized.

FIG. 6 depicts the genetic map of the C. jejuni pgl operon.

FIG. 7 depicts expression of the pgl operon with/without deletion of the pglB gene, with the addition of synthesized C. jejuni N-glycan to the LPS core in a S. typhimurium with a deletion of the wbaP gene.

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict the structural aspects of the modified S. typhimurium OmpA protein with the insertion of the Cj1433c gene encoded sequences, specifying the nine repeats to which the C. jejuni conserved N-glycan is attached as a consequence of the C. jejuni pgl operon and the activity of the Salmonella WaaL enzyme.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order that the disclosure may be more readily understood, certain terms are first defined. These definitions should be read in light of the remainder of the disclosure and as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Additional definitions are set forth throughout the detailed description.

As used herein, the term “recombinant bacterium” refers to a bacterial cell that has been genetically modified from its native state. For instance, a recombinant bacterium may comprise one or more nucleotide insertions, nucleotide deletions, nucleotide rearrangements, and nucleotide modifications. These genetic modifications may be introduced into the chromosome of the bacterium, or alternatively be present on an extrachromosomal nucleic acid (e.g., a plasmid). Recombinant bacteria of the disclosure may comprise a nucleic acid located on a plasmid. Alternatively, the recombinant bacteria may comprise a nucleic acid located in the bacterial chromosome (e.g., stably incorporated therein). In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium is avirulent. In some embodiments the recombinant bacterium exhibits reduced virulence. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium is non-virulent. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium is attenuated. In another embodiment, the recombinant bacterium is a recombinant derivative of a pathogenic bacterium.

As used herein, the term “gene” refers to a nucleic acid fragment that encodes a protein or a fragment thereof, or a functional or structural RNA molecule, and may optionally include a regulatory sequence preceding (5′ non-coding sequences) and following (3′ non-coding sequences) the coding sequence of the nucleic acid. In some embodiments, a “gene” does not include regulatory sequences preceding and following the coding sequence.

In one embodiment, the gene is a heterologous gene. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid is a heterologous nucleic acid. As used herein, the terms “heterologous gene” or “heterologous nucleic acid” refer to a gene or a nucleic acid sequence present in a recombinant cell, e.g., bacterium, that is not normally found in the wild-type cell, e.g., bacterium, in nature. In some embodiments, the heterologous gene or heterologous nucleic acid is exogenously introduced into a given cell. In some embodiments, a heterologous gene may include a gene, or fragment thereof, introduced into a non-native host cell. In some embodiments, the term “heterologous gene” includes a second copy of a native gene, or fragment thereof, that has been introduced into the host cell in addition to the corresponding native gene. A heterologous nucleic acid may also include, in some embodiments, a gene sequence that is naturally-found in a given cell but which has been modified, e.g., by regulation by a different promoter sequence, to expresses an unnatural amount of the nucleic acid and/or the polypeptide which it encodes; and/or two or more nucleic acid sequences that are not found in the same relationship to each other in nature.

As used herein, the term “endogenous gene” refers to a native gene that is present in its natural location in the genome of an organism (e.g., a bacterial chromosome).

A “promoter” as used herein, refers to a nucleic acid sequence that is capable of controlling the expression of a coding sequence or gene. A promoter may comprise one or more specific transcriptional regulatory sequences to further enhance expression and/or to alter the spatial expression and/or temporal expression of a nucleic acid. For example, a promoter may include one or more nucleic acids that are specifically recognized by a transcriptional activator protein (e.g., an enhancer element), a transcriptional repressor protein, a polymerase, and the like. The term “operably linked,” as used herein, means that expression of a nucleic acid sequence is under the control of a promoter with which it is spatially connected. A promoter may be positioned 5′ (upstream) of the nucleic acid sequence under its control. The distance between the promoter and a nucleic acid sequence to be expressed may be approximately the same as the distance between that promoter and the native nucleic acid sequence it controls. As is known in the art, variation in this distance may be accommodated without loss of promoter function. The nucleic acid sequences of the promoters described herein are known in the art, and methods of operably-linking these promoters to a gene (e.g., a gene encoding a repressor) are known in the art.

In some embodiments, the promoter for use as described herein may be regulated directly or indirectly by a sugar. For example, in some embodiments, the promoter is responsive to the level of arabinose, otherwise referred to herein as an “arabinose-regulatable promoter”. Generally speaking, arabinose may be present during the in vitro growth of a bacterium, while typically absent from host tissue. In one embodiment, the promoter is derived from an araC-P_(araBAD) system from Escherichia coli. The araC P_(araBAD) system is a tightly regulated expression system, which has been shown to work as a strong promoter induced by the addition of low levels of arabinose. The araC-araBAD promoter is a bidirectional promoter controlling expression of the araBAD nucleic acid sequences in one direction, and the araC nucleic acid sequence in the other direction.

For convenience, the portion of the araC-araBAD promoter that mediates expression of the araBAD nucleic acid sequences, and which is controlled by the araC nucleic acid sequence product, is referred to herein as P_(araBAD). For use as described herein, a cassette with the araC nucleic acid sequence and the araC-araBAD promoter may be used. This cassette is referred to herein as araC P_(araBAD). The AraC protein is both a positive and negative regulator of P_(araBAD). In the presence of arabinose, the AraC protein is a positive regulatory element that allows expression from P_(araBAD). In the absence of arabinose, the AraC protein represses expression from P_(BAD). Other enteric bacteria contain arabinose regulatory systems homologous to the araC-araBAD system from E. coli, including, for example, S. typhimurium. For example, the E. coli AraC protein only activates E. coli P_(araBAD) (in the presence of arabinose) and not S. typhimurium P_(araBAD). Thus, an arabinose-regulated promoter may be used in a recombinant bacterium that possesses a similar arabinose operon, without substantial interference between the two, if the promoter and the operon are derived from two different species of bacteria. Generally speaking, the concentration of arabinose necessary to induce expression is typically less than about 2% (w/w) in a culture media. In some embodiments, the concentration is less than about 1.5%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.2%, 0.1%, or 0.05% (w/w) in a culture media. In other embodiments, the concentration is 0.05% or below, e.g. about 0.04%, 0.03%, 0.02%, or 0.01% (w/w). In an exemplary embodiment, the concentration is about 0.05% (w/w) in a culture media.

In other embodiments, the promoter may be responsive to the level of maltose in the environment, otherwise referred to herein as a “maltose-regulatable promoter”. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacteria described herein are cultured in a medium comprising maltose. The malT gene encodes MalT, a positive regulator of four maltose-responsive promoters (P_(PQ), P_(EFG), P_(KBM), and P_(S)). The combination of malT and a mal promoter creates a tightly regulated expression system that has been shown to work as a strong promoter induced in the presence of maltose. Unlike the araC-P_(araBAD) system, malT expression is regulated by a promoter (i.e., P_(T)) that is functionally unrelated to the other mal promoters. P_(T) is not regulated by MalT. The malEFG-malKBM promoter is a bidirectional promoter that controls expression of the malKBM nucleic acid sequences in one direction, and the malEFG nucleic acid sequences in the other direction. For convenience, the portion of the malEFG-malKBM promoter that mediates expression of the malKBM nucleic acid sequence, and which is controlled by MalT, is referred to herein as P_(malKBM), and the portion of the malEFG-malKBM promoter that mediates expression of the malEFG nucleic acid sequence, and which is controlled by MalT, is referred to herein as P_(EFG). Full induction of P_(KBM) requires the presence of the MalT binding sites of P_(malEFG). For use in the vectors and systems described herein, a gene cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding MalT and a mal promoter may be used. This gene cassette is referred to herein as malT-P_(mal). In the presence of maltose, the MalT is a positive regulatory element that allows for expression mediated by P_(mal). Generally speaking, the concentration of maltose necessary to induce expression is typically less than about 1% (w/w) in a culture media. In some embodiments, the concentration is less than about 1.0%, 0.9%, 0.8%, 0.7%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3% 0.2%, 0.1%, or 0.05% (w/w) in a culture media. In other embodiments, the concentration is 0.05% or below, e.g. about 0.04%, 0.03%, 0.02%, or 0.01% (w/w). In an exemplary embodiment, the concentration is about 0.2% to about 0.4% (w/w) in a culture media.

In still other embodiments, the promoter used herein is responsive to the level of rhamnose in the environment, otherwise referred to herein as a “rhamnose-regulatable promoter”. Analogous to the araC-P_(araBAD) system described above, the rhaRS-P_(rhaB) activator-promoter system is tightly regulated by rhamnose. Expression from the rhamnose promoter (P_(rha)) is induced to high levels in the presence of rhamnose. In some embodiments, the bacteria are cultured in the presence of rhamnose. Rhamnose is commonly found in bacteria but rarely found in human subjects. The rhaBAD operon is controlled by the P_(rhaBAD) promoter. This promoter is regulated by two activators, RhaS and RhaR, and the corresponding nucleic acid sequences belong to one transcription unit that is located in the opposite direction of the rhaBAD nucleic acid sequences. In the presence of L-rhamnose, RhaR binds to the P_(rhaRS) promoter and activates the production of RhaR and RhaS. RhaS together with L-rhamnose, in turn, bind to the P_(rhaBAD) and the P_(rhaT) promoters and activates the transcription of the structural nucleic acid sequences. Full induction of the arabinose, maltose and rhamonse regulated promoters described herein requires binding of the Crp-cAMP complex, which is a key regulator of catabolite repression.

Although both L-arabinose and L-rhamnose act directly as inducers of the expression of regulons that mediate their catabolism, important differences exist in regard to the regulatory mechanisms. L-Arabinose acts as an inducer with the activator AraC in the positive control of the arabinose regulon. However, the L-rhamnose regulon is subject to a regulatory cascade, and is therefore subject to even tighter control than the araC-P_(araBAD) system. L-Rhamnose acts as an inducer with the activator RhaR for synthesis of RhaS, which in turn acts as an activator in the positive control of the rhamnose regulon. In the present disclosure, rhamnose may be used to interact with the RhaR protein and then the RhaS protein may activate transcription of a nucleic acid sequence operably-linked to the P_(rhaBAD) promoter.

In still other embodiments, the promoter may be responsive to the level of xylose in the environment, referred to herein as a “xylose-regulatable promoter”. Generally, xylose concentrations of between 0.0002% to 0.63% (w/w) in the environment activate the expression of a xylose inducible promoter described herein. (6) The xy/R-P_(xy1A) system is another well-established inducible activator-promoter system. Xylose induces xylose-specific operons (e.g., xylE, xylFGHR, and xylAB) which are regulated by XylR and the cyclic AMP-Crp system. The XylR protein serves as a positive regulator by binding to two distinct regions of the xyl nucleic acid sequence promoters. As with the araC-P_(araBAD) system described above, the xylR-P_(xylAB) and/or xylR-P_(xylFGH) regulatory systems may be used. In these embodiments, xylR-P_(xylAB) xylose interacting with the XylR protein activates transcription of nucleic acid sequences operably-linked to either of the two P_(xy1) promoters.

As used herein, the term “exogenous” refers to a substance (e.g., a nucleic acid or polypeptide) present in a cell other than its native source. The term exogenous can refer to a nucleic acid or a protein that has been introduced by a process involving the hand of man into a biological system such as a cell or organism in which it is not normally found or in which it is found in undetectable amounts. A substance can be considered exogenous if it is introduced into a cell or an ancestor of the cell that inherits the substance. In contrast, the term “endogenous” refers to a substance that is native to the biological system or cell.

As used herein, the term “invasive” when used in reference to a bacterium refers to a bacterium that is able to be absorbed by an eukaryotic cell, or a bacterium that actively penetrates an eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, an invasive bacterium penetrates an eukaryotic cell and reaches the eukaryotic cell cytoplasm by lysis of a vacuolar membrane.

As used herein, the term “pathogenic” when used in reference to a bacterium refers to a bacterium capable of infecting and causing disease in a host, as well as producing infection-related symptoms in the infected host. A bacterial species that is a pathogen and is pathogenic can be rendered attenuated or avirulent such that it no longer produces infection-related symptoms in the infected host. Such bacteria are referred to as “attenuated derivatives of pathogenic bacteria.”

A “pharmaceutical composition,” as used herein, refers to a composition comprising an active ingredient (e.g., a recombinant bacterium described herein) with other components such as a physiologically suitable carrier and/or excipient.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” or a “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” refers to a pharmaceutically-acceptable material, composition or vehicle, such as a liquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, manufacturing aid (e.g., lubricant, talc magnesium, calcium or zinc stearate, or steric acid), or solvent encapsulating material, involved in carrying or transporting the subject compound from one organ, or portion of the body, to another organ, or portion of the body. Each carrier must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not injurious to the patient. Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers include: (1) sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; (2) starches, such as corn starch and potato starch; (3) cellulose, and its derivatives, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, ethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and cellulose acetate; (4) powdered tragacanth; (5) malt; (6) gelatin; (7) lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate and talc; (8) excipients, such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; (9) oils, such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; (10) glycols, such as propylene glycol; (11) polyols, such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol (PEG); (12) esters, such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; (13) agar; (14) buffering agents, such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; (15) alginic acid; (16) pyrogen-free water; (17) isotonic saline (e.g., phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)); (18) Ringer's solution; (19) ethyl alcohol; (20) pH buffered solutions; (21) polyesters, polycarbonates and/or polyanhydrides; (22) bulking agents, such as polypeptides and amino acids (23) serum component, such as serum albumin, HDL and LDL; (22) C₂-C₁₂ alcohols, such as ethanol; and (23) other non-toxic compatible substances employed in pharmaceutical formulations. Wetting agents, coloring agents, release agents, coating agents, disintegrating agents, binders, sweetening agents, flavoring agents, perfuming agents, protease inhibitors, plasticizers, emulsifiers, stabilizing agents, viscosity increasing agents, film forming agents, solubilizing agents, surfactants, preservative and antioxidants can also be present in the formulation. The terms such as “excipient”, “carrier”, “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” or the like are used interchangeably herein.

A “plasmid” or “vector” includes a nucleic acid construct designed for delivery to a host cell or transfer between different host cell. The nucleic acid incorporated into the plasmid can be operatively linked to an expression control sequence when the expression control sequence controls and regulates the transcription and translation of that polynucleotide sequence.

As used herein, the terms “protein” and “polypeptide” are used interchangeably herein to designate a series of amino acid residues, connected to each other by peptide bonds between the alpha-amino and carboxy groups of adjacent residues. The terms “protein”, and “polypeptide” refer to a polymer of amino acids, including modified amino acids (e.g., phosphorylated, glycated, glycosylated, etc.) and amino acid analogs, regardless of its size or function. The terms “protein” and “polypeptide” as used herein refer to both large polypeptides and small peptides. The terms “protein” and “polypeptide” are used interchangeably herein when referring to a gene product and fragments thereof. Thus, exemplary polypeptides or proteins include gene products, naturally occurring proteins, homologs, orthologs, paralogs, fragments and other equivalents, variants, fragments, and analogs of the foregoing.

A “nucleic acid” or “nucleic acid sequence” may be any molecule, preferably a polymeric molecule, incorporating units of ribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid or an analog thereof. The nucleic acid can be either single-stranded or double-stranded. A single-stranded nucleic acid can be one nucleic acid strand of a denatured double-stranded DNA. Alternatively, it can be a single-stranded nucleic acid not derived from any double-stranded DNA. In one aspect, the nucleic acid can be DNA. In another aspect, the nucleic acid can be RNA. Suitable nucleic acid molecules are DNA, including genomic DNA or cDNA. Other suitable nucleic acid molecules are RNA, including mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA.

Alterations of the native amino acid sequence can be accomplished by any of a number of techniques known to one of skill in the art. Mutations can be introduced, for example, at particular loci by synthesizing oligonucleotides containing a mutant sequence, flanked by restriction sites enabling ligation to fragments of the native sequence. Following ligation, the resulting reconstructed sequence encodes an analog having the desired amino acid insertion, substitution, or deletion. Alternatively, oligonucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis procedures can be employed to provide an altered nucleotide sequence having particular codons altered according to the substitution, deletion, or insertion required. Techniques for making such alterations are very well established and include, for example, those disclosed by Walder et al. (7); Bauer et al. (8); Craik (9); Smith et al. (10); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,584 (11) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,462 (12), which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. Any cysteine residue not involved in maintaining the proper conformation of the polypeptide also can be substituted, generally with serine, to improve the oxidative stability of the molecule and prevent aberrant crosslinking. Conversely, cysteine bond(s) can be added to the polypeptide to improve its stability or facilitate oligomerization.

The term “statistically significant” or “significantly” refers to statistical significance and generally means a two standard deviation (2SD) or greater difference.

As used herein, the term “host cell” refers to a cell in an organism to which the recombinant bacterium is being administered in order to, for example, induce an immune response. In one embodiment, a host is a bird, equine, or human and a host cell refers, respectively, to a bird cell, an equine cell, or a human cell.

Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients or reaction conditions used herein should be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about.” The term “about” when used in connection with percentages can mean ±1%.

The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein, should be understood to mean “at least one,” unless clearly indicated to the contrary.

The phrase “and/or,” when used between elements in a list, is intended to mean either (1) that only a single listed element is present, or (2) that more than one element of the list is present. For example, “A, B, and/or C” indicates that the selection may be A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B, and C. The phrase “and/or” may be used interchangeably with “at least one of” or “one or more of” the elements in a list.

Ranges provided herein are understood to be shorthand for all of the values within the range. For example, a range of 1 to 50 is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from the group consisting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50.

I. Recombinant Bacteria

The present disclosure provides, in some embodiments, a recombinant bacterium capable of regulated expression of at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen of interest (e.g., a Campylobacter antigen). The recombinant bacterium described herein is particularly effective in eliciting an immune response (e.g., protective immunity) against the antigen of interest because the bacterium comprise multiple recombinant regulatory systems that permit the bacterium to replicate upon administration and to colonize lymphoid tissues in a subject in order to elicit potent immune responses. However, after multiple replication cycles in vivo, the bacterium ultimately exhibits an attenuated phenotype which allows for safe administration to a subject, for example as a vaccine composition. The recombinant regulatory systems of the bacteria described herein depend, in part, on multiple genetic regulatory elements that are responsive to one or more sugars (e.g., arabinose, rhamnose, mannose, maltose, xylose, and galactose) that not available to the bacterium in vivo. Thus, using the phenotype of the recombinant bacteria described herein can be altered upon administration to a subject. In some embodiments, the phenotype of the recombinant bacteria described herein is regulated-delayed expression of an antigen of interest, and the gene conferring the phenotype encodes an antigen of interest. In some embodiments, the subject is administered one or more sugars before, after or concurrently with the administration of a recombinant bacterium described herein in order to activate and/or repress a sugar-responsive regulatory system of the bacteria. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein comprises at least three regulatory systems, each dependent on a different sugar, which facilitates initial invasion of a host cell in the subject, delayed attenuation, and improved immunogenicity.

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein can be regulated for delayed attenuation in vivo. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein is capable of regulated delayed expression of a nucleic acid encoding an antigen of interest. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein exhibits regulated production of Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA) in vivo, which may lead to enhanced production of conserved outer membrane proteins present in the bacterium, and ultimately improved immunogenicity. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein is capable of both regulated expression of at least one nucleic acid encoding at least one antigen of interest and regulated attenuation. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein is capable of both regulated expression of at least one nucleic acid encoding at least one antigen of interest and regulated production of GMMA in vivo. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein is capable of both regulated production of GMMA in vivo, and regulated attenuation. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein is capable of regulated expression of at least one nucleic acid encoding at least one antigen of interest, regulated attenuation, and regulated production of GMMA in vivo. In some embodiments, each of these properties is directly or indirectly regulated by the abundance of at least one sugar (e.g., arabinose, rhamnose, mannose, xylose, maltose, and galactose).

In some embodiments, the bacterium described herein is a Gram negative bacterium. In some embodiments, the bacterium is a pathogenic bacterium. In some embodiments, the bacterium is an avirulent bacterium. In some embodiments, the bacterium belongs to the Enterobaceteriaceae. In some embodiments, the bacterium belongs to a genus selected from: Alterococcus, Aquamonas, Aranicola, Arsenophonus, Brenneria, Budvicia, Buttiauxella, Candidatus Phlomobacter, Cedeceae, Citrobacter, Edwardsiella, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Escherichia, Ewingella, Hafnia, Klebsiella, Kluyvera, Leclercia, Leminorella, Moellerella, Morganella, Obesumbacterium, Pantoea, Pectobacterium, Photorhabdus, Plesiomonas, Pragia, Proteus, Providencia, Rahnella, Raoultella, Salmonella, Samsonia, Serratia, Shigella, Sodalis, Tatumella, Trabulsiella, Wigglesworthia, Xenorhbdus, Yersinia, Yokenella. In some embodiments, the bacterium is a pathogenic species of Enterobaceteriaceae. In some embodiments, the bacterium is selected from the group consisting of Escherichia coli, Shigella, Edwardsiella, Salmonella, Citrobacter, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, Proteus, Morganella, Providencia and Yersinia. In some embodiments, the bacterium is of the genus Salmonella. In some embodiments, the bacterium is of the genus Yersinia. In some embodiments, the bacterium is of the genus Edwardsiella. In some embodiments, the bacterium is of a genus, species, or strain commonly used as a live or attenuated vaccine.

Some embodiments of the instant disclosure comprise a species or subspecies of the Salmonella genera (e.g., S. enterica or S. bongori). For instance, the recombinant bacterium may be a Salmonella enterica serovar, including, for example, Paratyphi A, Enteritidis, typhi, and typhimurium. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium is of the serovar S. typhimurium, S. typhi, S. paratyphi, S. gallinarum, S. enteritidis, S. choleraesius, S. arizonae, S. newport, S. heidelberg, S. infantis, S. cholerasiuis, or S. dublin.

A recombinant bacterium derived from Salmonella may be particularly suited to use as a vaccine. For example, oral infection of a host with a Salmonella strain typically leads to colonization of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), which leads to the induction of a generalized mucosal immune response to the recombinant bacterium. Further penetration of the bacterium into the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and spleen may augment the induction of systemic and cellular immune responses directed against the bacterium. Thus, the use of recombinant Salmonella for oral immunization stimulates all three branches of the immune system, which is particularly important for immunizing against infectious disease agents that colonize on and/or invade through mucosal surfaces. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein is used to induce an immune response in poultry (e.g., as a vaccine). When used in poultry, the recombinant bacterium may be administered by course spray and thereby inoculate the conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) via eye exposure, the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) via respiratory exposure and the GALT via oral exposure. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein is administered to newly-hatched chicks.

A. Antigens

As used herein, “antigen” refers to a biomolecule capable of eliciting an immune response in a host. In some embodiments, an antigen may be a protein, or fragment of a protein. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid (e.g., a plasmid) encoding an antigen of interest, wherein the nucleic acid is expressed by the host cell (e.g., a DNA vaccine). In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid encoding an antigen of interest. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight or more nucleic acids encoding an antigen of interest (e.g., one or more copies of a nucleic acid encoding a specific antigen, one or more nucleic acids encoding different antigens of interest, or combinations thereof). In an exemplary embodiment, the antigen elicits a protective immune response in a subject.

As used herein, “protective” means that the immune response contributes to the lessening of any symptoms associated with infection of a host with the pathogen the antigen was derived from or designed to elicit a response against. For example, a protective antigen from a pathogen, such as Salmonella, may induce an immune response that helps to ameliorate symptoms associated with Salmonella infection or reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with infection with the pathogen or may reduce the ability of Salmonella to infect and colonize the host. The use of the term “protective” in this disclosure does not necessarily require that the host is completely protected from the effects of the pathogen.

C. jejuni is a commensal for poultry and causes no disease symptoms. Thus, when “protective” immunity to C. jejuni is induced in poultry, this refers to the ability of the vaccine to reduce the levels of Cj colonization in the intestine and ceca. This is also true for Salmonella. Thus, although several stains of Salmonella can cause disease and mortality in newly hatched chicks, chicks become totally tolerant of Salmonella by one week of age, after which most strains of Salmonella persist in the GI tract as a commensal.

In some embodiments, the antigen of interest is an antigen derived from an infectious agent. In some embodiments, the antigen of interest is derived from an infectious agent selected from the group consisting of a virus, a bacteria, a protozoan, a prion, a fungi, and a helminth. In some embodiments, the antigen of interest is derived from a bacteria.

Alternatively, antigens may be derived from organisms newly identified or newly associated with a disease or pathogenic condition, or new or emerging pathogens of animals or humans, including those now known or identified in the future, may be expressed by a bacterium detailed herein. Furthermore, antigens are not limited to those from pathogenic organisms.

Immunogenicity of the bacterium may be augmented and/or modulated by constructing strains that also express sequences for cytokines, adjuvants, and other immunomodulators.

Some examples of microorganisms useful as a source for antigen are listed below. These may include microorganisms for the control of plague caused by Yersinia pestis and other Yersinia species such as Y. pseudotuberculosis and Y. enterocolitica, for the control of gonorrhea caused by Neisseria gonorrhoea, for the control of syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum, and for the control of venereal diseases as well as eye infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Species of Streptococcus from both group A and group B, such as those species that cause sore throat or heart diseases, Streptococcus equi, which causes strangles in equines, Streptococcus mutans, which causes cavities, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Neisseria meningitidis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and other Mycoplasma-species, Hemophilus influenza, Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae, other Bordetella species, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Brucella abortus, Pasteurella hemolytica and P. multocida, Vibrio cholera, Shigella species, Borrellia species, Bartonella species, Heliobacter pylori, Campylobacter species, Pseudomonas species, Moraxella species, Brucella species, Francisella species, Aeromonas species, Actinobacillus species, Clostridium species, Rickettsia species, Bacillus species, Coxiella species, Ehrlichia species, Listeria species, and Legionella pneumophila are additional examples of bacteria within the scope of this disclosure from which antigen nucleic acid sequences could be obtained.

In some embodiments, the antigen is a Campylobacter antigen (e.g., a C. jejuni antigen or a C. coli antigen). In some embodiments, the Campylobacter antigen is selected from the group consisting of Peb1 (encoded by the cj0921c gene), CjaA (encoded by the cj0982c gene), Dps (encoded by the cj1534c gene), TlyA (encoded by the cj0588 gene), Omp18 (encoded by the cj0113 gene), Cj0998c (encoded by the cj0998c gene), Cj0034c (encoded by the cj0034c gene), Cj0168c (encoded by the cj0168c gene), Cj0248 (encoded by the cj0248 gene), Peb3 (encoded by the cj0289 gene), CmeC (encoded by the cj0365 gene), Cj0404 (encoded by the cj0404 gene), Cj0420 (encoded by the cj0420 gene), Cj0427 (encoded by the cj0427 gene), Cj0428 (encoded by the cj0428 gene), PorA (encoded by the cj1259 gene), Fla (encoded by the cj1339c gene), CadF (encoded by the cj1478c gene), and Cj1656c (encoded by the cj1656c gene).

In some embodiments, the Campylobacter antigen comprises a canonical Campylobacter N-glycosylation amino acid sequence. In some embodiments, the canonical Campylobacter N-glycosylation amino acid sequence comprises the amino acid sequence Asp/Glu-Xaa-Asn-tyr-Ser/Thr (SEQ ID NO: 1). The presence of the canonical Campylobacter N-glycosylation amino acid sequence allows for the glycosylation of the antigen when produced by a recombinant bacterium comprising a pgl operon (e.g., a Campylobacter pgl operon) or one or more pgl operon genes (e.g., wlaA, gne, pglK, pglH, pglI, pglJ, pglB, pglA, pglC, pglD, wlaJ, pglE, pglF, and pglG). In one embodiment, the PglB enzyme can add the N-glycan to a slightly different aa sequence, DGGK (SEQ ID NO:2), different from the N-glycosylation sequence used in eukaryotes (Barre et al., 2017. Glycobiology 27:978-989).

In some embodiments, the antigen of interest comprises a native canonical Campylobacter N-glycosylation amino acid sequence. In some embodiments, the antigen of interest is engineered to comprise at least one non-native canonical Campylobacter N-glycosylation amino acid sequence Asp/Glu-Xaa-Asn-tyr-Ser/Thr (SEQ ID NO: 1), such that the antigen is N-glycosylated when produced by a recombinant bacterium comprising a pgl operon (e.g., a Campylobacter pgl operon) or one or more pgl operon genes.

In certain embodiments, an antigen may comprise a B-cell epitope or a T-cell epitope. Alternatively, an antigen to which an immune response is desired may be expressed as a fusion to a carrier protein that contains a strong promiscuous T-cell epitope and/or serves as an adjuvant and/or facilitates presentation of the antigen to enhance, in all cases, the immune response to the antigen or its component part. This can be accomplished by methods known in the art. Fusion to tetanus toxin fragment C, CT-B, LT-B and hepatitis virus B core are particularly useful for these purposes, although other epitope presentation systems are well known in the art.

In further embodiments, a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen may comprise a secretion signal.

As stated above, the level of synthesis of an antigen of interest may be optimized by modifying the nucleic acid sequence encoding the repressor and/or promoter. As used herein, “modify” refers to an alteration of the nucleic acid sequence of the repressor and/or promoter that results in a change in the level of transcription of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the repressor, or that results in a change in the level of synthesis of the repressor. For instance, in one embodiment, modify may refer to altering the start codon of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the repressor. Generally speaking, a GTG or TTG start codon, as opposed to an ATG start codon, may decrease translation efficiency ten-fold. In another embodiment, modify may refer to altering the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the repressor. The SD sequence is a ribosomal binding site generally located 6-7 nucleotides upstream of the start codon. The SD consensus sequence is AGGAGG (SEQ ID NO:80), and variations of the consensus sequence may alter translation efficiency. In yet another embodiment, modify may refer to altering the distance between the SD sequence and the start codon. In still another embodiment, modify may refer to altering the −35 sequence for RNA polymerase recognition. In a similar embodiment, modify may refer to altering the −10 sequence for RNA polymerase binding. In an additional embodiment, modify may refer to altering the number of nucleotides between the −35 and −10 sequences. In an alternative embodiment, modify may refer to optimizing the codons of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the repressor to alter the level of translation of the mRNA encoding the repressor. For instance, non-A rich codons initially after the start codon of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the repressor may not maximize translation of the mRNA encoding the repressor. Similarly, the codons of the nucleic acid sequence encoding any of the proteins described herein may be codon-optimized, i.e., altered so as to mimic the codons from highly synthesized proteins of a particular organism. In a further embodiment, modify may refer to altering the GC content of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the repressor to change the level of translation of the mRNA encoding the repressor. Methods of modifying a nucleic acid sequence are known in the art.

In some embodiments, more than one modification or type of modification may be performed to optimize the expression level of a nucleic acid described herein (e.g., a nucleic acid encoding a repressor or antigen of interest). For instance, at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or nine modifications, or types of modifications, may be performed to optimize the expression level of a nucleic acid described herein. By way of non-limiting example, when the repressor is Lad, then the nucleic acid sequence of Lad and the promoter may be altered so as to increase the level of Lad synthesis. In one embodiment, the start codon of the Lad repressor may be altered from GTG to ATG. In another embodiment, the SD sequence may be altered from AGGG to AGGA. In yet another embodiment, the codons of lacI may be optimized according to the codon usage for highly synthesized proteins of Salmonella. In a further embodiment, the start codon of lacI may be altered, the SD sequence may be altered, and the codons of lacI may be optimized.

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid that is located in a plasmid or vector. As used herein, “vector” refers to an autonomously replicating nucleic acid unit. The present disclosure can be practiced with any known type of vector, including viral, cosmid, phasmid, and plasmid vectors. The most preferred type of vector is a plasmid vector. In some embodiments, the plasmid or vector is a high copy plasmid. In some embodiments, the plasmid or vector is a low copy plasmid or vector.

As is well known in the art, plasmids and other vectors may possess a wide array of promoters, multiple cloning sequences, transcription terminators, etc., and vectors may be selected so as to control the level of expression of the nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen by controlling the relative copy number of the vector. In some instances in which the vector might encode a surface localized adhesin as the antigen, or an antigen capable of stimulating T-cell immunity, it may be preferable to use a vector with a low copy number such as at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten copies per bacterial cell. A non-limiting example of a low copy number vector may be a vector comprising the pSC101 ori.

In some embodiments, the plasmid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an aspartate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase gene (e.g., asdA). These plasmids may be advantageously used to complement a bacterium that comprises an aspartate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase gene (e.g., asdA). In some embodiments, the plasmid is selected from the group consisting of pYA3342, pYA3337, and pYA3332.

In other cases, an intermediate copy number vector might be optimal for inducing desired immune responses. For instance, an intermediate copy number vector may have at least 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 copies per bacterial cell. A non-limiting example of an intermediate copy number vector may be a vector comprising the p15A ori.

In still other cases, a high copy number vector might be optimal for the induction of maximal antibody responses. A high copy number vector may have at least 31, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 copies per bacterial cell. In some embodiments, a high copy number vector may have at least 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, or 400 copies per bacterial cell. Non-limiting examples of high copy number vectors may include a vector comprising the pBR ori or the pUC ori.

Additionally, vector copy number may be increased by selecting for mutations that increase plasmid copy number. These mutations may occur in the bacterial chromosome but are more likely to occur in the plasmid vector.

Preferably, vectors used herein do not comprise antibiotic resistance markers to select for maintenance of the vector.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid sequences described herein are operably-linked to a promoter. Promoters for use in the embodiments described herein are known in the art. One of skill in the art would recognize that the selection of a repressor dictates, in part, the selection of the promoter to be used to regulate the expression of a nucleic acid described herein. For instance, if the repressor is Lad, then the promoter may be selected from the group consisting of Lad responsive promoters, such as P_(trc), P_(lac), P_(T7lac) and P_(tac). If the repressor is C2, then the promoter may be selected from the group consisting of C2 responsive promoters, such as P22 promoters P_(L) and P_(R). If the repressor is C1, then the promoter may be selected from the group consisting of C1 responsive promoters, such as λ promoters P_(L) and P_(R).

In each embodiment herein, the promoter regulates expression of a nucleic acid sequence. In some embodiments, the promoter comprises a regulatory sequence controlled by a repressor, such that expression of the nucleic acid sequence is repressed when the repressor is synthesized (e.g., during in vitro growth of the bacterium), but expression of the nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen is high when the repressor is not synthesized (e.g., in vivo). Generally speaking, the concentration of the repressor will decrease with every cell division after expression of the gene encoding the repressor ceases. In some embodiments, the concentration of the repressor decreases such that high levels of expression of the nucleic acid sequence that is being regulated is achieved after about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 divisions of the bacterium. In an exemplary embodiment, the concentration of the repressor decreases enough to allow high-level expression of the nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen after about 5 divisions of the bacterium in vivo.

In certain embodiments, the promoter may comprise other regulatory elements. For instance, the promoter may comprise lacO if the repressor is Lad. This is the case with the lipoprotein promoter P_(lpplacO) that is regulated by Lad since it possesses the Lad binding domain lacO. In one embodiment, the repressor is a Lad repressor and the promoter is P_(trc).

In some embodiments, the expression of the nucleic acid sequence regulated by a repressor is repressed in vivo. Expression may be “repressed” or “partially repressed” when it is about 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 1%, or even less than 1% of the expression under non-repressed conditions. Thus although the level of expression under conditions of “complete repression” might be exceeding low, it is likely to be detectable using very sensitive methods since repression can never by absolute.

Conversely, the expression of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the antigen should be high when the expression of the repressor is repressed. For instance, if the repressor is not expressed during growth of the recombinant bacterium in a host, the expression of the nucleic acid under the control of the repressor will be high. As used herein, “high level” expression refers to expression that is strong enough to elicit an immune response to the antigen. Consequently, the copy number correlating with high level expression can and will vary depending on the antigen and the type of immune response desired. Methods of determining whether an antigen elicits an immune response such as by measuring antibody levels or antigen-dependent T cell populations or antigen-dependent cytokine levels are known in the art, and methods of measuring levels of expression of antigen encoding sequences by measuring levels of mRNA transcribed or by quantitating the expression level of a protein are also known in the art.

In each of the above embodiments, a recombinant bacterium capable of regulated expression may also be attenuated. “Attenuated” refers to the state of the bacterium wherein the bacterium has been weakened from its wild-type fitness by some form of recombinant or physical manipulation. This includes altering the genotype of the bacterium to reduce its ability to cause disease. However, the bacterium's ability to colonize the gut (in the case of Salmonella) and induce immune responses is, preferably, not substantially compromised.

In an exemplary embodiment, a recombinant bacterium may be attenuated as described above. In which case, both regulated attenuation and regulated expression of an antigen encoding sequence may be dependent upon a sugar regulatable system. Consequently, the concentration of sugar (e.g., arabinose) needed for optimal expression of the regulated antigen encoding sequence may not be the same as the concentration for optimal expression of attenuation. In an exemplary embodiment, the concentration of arabinose for the optimization of both regulated attenuation and regulated expression of sequences encoding antigen will be substantially the same.

Accordingly, the promoter and/or the nucleic acid sequence encoding an attenuation protein may be modified to optimize the system. Methods of modification are detailed above. Briefly, for example, the SD ribosome binding sequence may be altered, and/or the start codon may be altered from ATG to GTG for the nucleic acid sequences fur and phoPQ, so that the production levels of Fur and PhoPQ are optimal for both the regulated attenuation phenotype and the regulated expression when growing strains with a given concentration of arabinose. One of skill in the art will appreciate that other nucleic acid sequences, in addition to fur and phoPQ, may also be altered as described herein in combination with other well-known protocols. In addition, these attenuating nucleic acid sequences may be regulated by other systems using well-established protocols known to one of skill in the art. For example, they may be regulated using with promoters dependent on addition of maltose, rhamnose, or xylose rather than arabinose.

cj0034c—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0034c gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0034c gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0034c gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0034c gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0034c gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 3) ATGAAAACAAATAATATCTTTATGGCTTTAGCCATAGTTTTGGCAAGTTT GATTCTAGCTTTTGGATTTAACAAGGCTTTAAGTGATTTTAAAACACTTG AAAGAAGTGTAAGTGTAAAGGGTTTAAGTCAAAAAGAAGTCGAAGCGGAT ACTTTGATACTTCCTATAAAATTCACAAGATCAAACAACAATCTTACAAA TTTATACGAAGAACTAGAACAAGATAAAGAAAATATCATCAAATTTTTAG AAAAACAAGGCATAAAAGAAGATGAGATCAGCTACAACTCGCCAAATATC ATAGATCGTTTAAGCGATCCTTATAGCAACGACACTCAAGCTGCATACCG ATACATAGGCACTGCGAATTTACTCATCTATACTCAAAATGTAAAGCTTG GAAAAAGCATACTAGAAAACATTTCAAGTCTTGCAAAATTTGGTATAGTA ACAAAAATCGATGATTATGATATAGAATACCTTTACACCAAGCTAAATGA TATAAAACCACAAATGATAGAAGAAGCAACGCTCAATGCTAGAAATGCAG CGATAAAATTCGCACAAGACTCAAACAGCCATCTAGGCAAGATAAAAAAG GCTTCTCAAGGACAATTTAGCATTAGCAACAGAGATAAAAACACCCCTTA TATCAAAACCATAAGAGTGGTTTCTACTATAGAATACTACTTAAAAGACT GA

The amino acid sequence of the Cj0034c protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 3 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 4) MKTNNIFMALAIVLASLILAFGFNKALSDFKTLERSVSVKGLSQKEVEAD TLILPIKFTRSNNNLTNLYEELEQDKENIIKFLEKQGIKEDEISYNSPNI IDRLSDPYSNDTQAAYRYIGTANLLIYTQNVKLGKSILENISSLAKFGIV TKIDDYDIEYLYTKLNDIKPQMIEEATLNARNAAIKFAQDSNSHLGKIKK ASQGQFSISNRDKNTPYIKTIRVVSTIEYYLKD

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0034c gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 3). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0034c gene, wherein the cj0034c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0034c gene, wherein the cj0034c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0034c protein, wherein said Cj0034c protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0034c protein, wherein said Cj0034c protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.

cj0113—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0113 gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0113 gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0113 gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0113 gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0113 gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 5) ATGAAAAAAGTTTTATTGAGTTCATTGGTTGCGGTGTCTTTGTTAAGCAC AGGTTTGTTTGCTAAAGAATATACTTTAGATAAAGCACATACAGATGTAG GTTTTAAAATCAAACATTTACAAATTAGCAATGTAAAAGGAAATTTCAAA GATTATTCTGCGGTGATTGATTTTGATCCTGCGAGTGCTGAATTTAAAAA GCTTGATGTAACTATAAAAATCGCATCTGTAAATACAGAAAATCAAACAA GAGATAATCACTTACAACAAGATGATTTTTTCAAAGCAAAAAAATATCCT GATATGACTTTTACAATGAAAAAATATGAAAAAATCGATAATGAAAAAGG CAAAATGACAGGAACTTTAACTATAGCTGGAGTTTCTAAAGATATCGTTT TAGATGCTGAAATCGGCGGTGTAGCTAAAGGCAAAGATGGAAAAGAAAAA ATAGGATTTTCTTTAAATGGAAAAATCAAACGCTCTGATTTTAAATTTGC AACAAGTACTTCAACTATTACTTTAAGTGATGATATTAATTTAAATATCG AAGTTGAAGCGAACGAAAAATAA

The amino acid sequence of the Omp18 protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 5 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 6) MKKVLLSSLVAVSLLSTGLFAKEYTLDKAHTDVGFKIKHLQISNVKGNFK DYSAVIDFDPASAEFKKLDVTIKIASVNTENQTRDNHLQQDDFFKAKKYP DMTFTMKKYEKIDNEKGKMTGTLTIAGVSKDIVLDAEIGGVAKGKDGKEK IGFSLNGKIKRSDFKFATSTSTITLSDDINLNIEVEANEK

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0113 gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 5). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0113 gene, wherein the cj0113 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0113 gene, wherein the cj0113 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Omp18 protein, wherein said Omp18 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Omp18 protein, wherein said Omp18 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6.

cj0168c—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0168c gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0168c gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0168c gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0168c gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0168c gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 7) ATGAAAAAAGTTGTACTAATCTCAGCATTACTAGGTGCTTTCGCAGCTAA TGTTTTTGCAGCTAATACTCCAAGCGATGTAAATCAAACACATACAAAAG CTAAAGCTGATAAAAAACATGAAGCTAAAACTCACAAAAAAACAAAAGAG CAAACACCAGCTCAATAA

The amino acid sequence of the Cj0168c protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 7 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 8) MKKVVLISALLGAFAANVFAANTPSDVNQTHTKAKADKKHEAKTHKKTKE QTPAQ

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0168c gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 7). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0168c gene, wherein the cj0168c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0168c gene, wherein the cj0168c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0168c protein, wherein said Cj0168c protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0168c protein, wherein said Cj0168c protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8.

cj0248—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0248 gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0248 gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0248 gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0248 gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0248 gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 9) ATGATTGGAGATATGAATGAGCTTTTATTAAAAAGCGTTGAAGTATTGCC ACCTTTACCTGATACTGTAAGTAAGTTAAGAAAATATGTGAGCGAGGCTA ATTCAAATATAGAAACTATGAAAGTTGCTGAAATCATTTCAAGCGATCCG TTGATGACGGCTAAGCTTTTGCAATTAGCAAATTCTCCTTATTATGGTTT TACAAGAGAAATTACAACCATAAATCAAGTGATTACTTTATTAGGCGTTG GTAATATCATCAATATAGTTATGGCTGACTCCATTAGAGATAATTTTAAA ATAGACGTTTCACCTTATGGTTTAAATACTCAAAATTTTTTAAAAACGTG CAATGAAGAGGCAACTTTTATCGCAAATTGGCTTAATGATGAAGATAAAA AACTTTCTCATCTTTTAGTTCCTTGTGCAATGCTTTTAAGGCTTGGTATT GTTATTTTTTCAAATTTTCTTATACAAAATCATAAGGATAAGGATTTTTT AGCTTTTTTAAATAAAAATGAAAATCTTGCTTTAGCGGAGAATGAATTTT TAGGCGTAGATCATATTTCTTTCTTGGGATTTTTGTTACATCGTTGGAAT TTTGATGATGTTTTGATTGAAAGTATATGTTTTGTTCGCACTCCTCATGC TGCTCGCGAAAAAGTGAAAAAATCCGCTTATGCTTTAGCAATAACAGATC ATCTTTTTGCTCCGCATGATGGTTCTTCTCCATTTAACGCAAAAGCTGCA GTTGCTTTACTTAAAGAGGCAAAAACTCAAGGAATTAATTTTGATTTAAA CAATCTTTTATCTAAGCTTCCTAACAAAGCTAAGGAAAATTTAAACAAAG AAGATTAA

The amino acid sequence of the Cj0248 protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 9 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 10) MIGDMNELLLKSVEVLPPLPDTVSKLRKYVSEANSNIETMKVAEIISSDP LMTAKLLQLANSPYYGFTREITTINQVITLLGVGNIINIVMADSIRDNFK IDVSPYGLNTQNFLKTCNEEATFIANWLNDEDKKLSHLLVPCAMLLRLGI VIFSNFLIQNHKDKDFLAFLNKNENLALAENEFLGVDHISFLGFLLHRWN FDDVLIESICFVRTPHAAREKVKKSAYALAITDHLFAPHDGSSPFNAKAA VALLKEAKTQGINFDLNNLLSKLPNKAKENLNKED

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0248 gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 9). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0248 gene, wherein the cj0248 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0248 gene, wherein the cj0248 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0248 protein, wherein said Cj0248 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0248 protein, wherein said Cj0248 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10.

cj0289c—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0289c gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0289c gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0289c gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0289c gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0289c gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 11) ATGAAAAAAATTATTACTTTATTTGGTGCATGTGCCTTAGCTTTTAGTAT GGCAAATGCAGACGTGAACCTGTACGGCCCGGGCGGCCCGCACACGGCCC TGAAAGACATCGCAAACAAATATAGCGAAAAAACCGGCGTGAAAGTGAAC GTGAACTTTGGCCCGCAGGCGACCTGGTTTGAAAAAGCGAAAAAAGACGC GGACATCCTGTTTGGCGCGTCAGACCAGTCCGCTCTGGCTATCGCGAGCG ACTTTGGCAAAGACTTTAACGTGAGCAAAATCAAACCGCTGTATTTTCGT GAAGCCATCATCCTGACCCAGAAAGGCAACCCGCTGAAAATCAAAGGCCT GAAAGACCTGGCGAACAAAAAAGTGCGTATCGTGGTGCCGGAAGGCGCGG GCAAAAGCAACACCTCTGGCACCGGCGTGTGGGAAGACATGATCGGCCGT ACCCAGGACATCAAAACCATCCAGAACTTTCGTAACAACATCGTGGCCTT TGTGCCGAACAGCGGTAGCGCGCGTAAACTGTTCGCGCAGGACCAGGCCG ACGCTTGGATCACTTGGATCGACTGGTCAAAAAGCAACCCGGACATCGGC ACTGCCGTGGCTATCGAAAAAGACCTGGTGGTGTATCGTACTTTTAACGT GATCGCGAAAGAAGGCGCGAGCAAAGAAACACAGGACTTTATCGCTTATC TGAGTTCTAAAGAAGCGAAAGAAATCTTTAAAAAATACGGCTGGCGTGAA TAA

The amino acid sequence of the Peb3 protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 11 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 12) MKKIITLFGACALAFSMANADVNLYGPGGPHTALKDIANKYSEKTGVKVN VNFGPQATWFEKAKKDADILFGASDQSALAIASDFGKDFNVSKIKPLYFR EAIILTQKGNPLKIKGLKDLANKKVRIVVPEGAGKSNTSGTGVWEDMIGR TQDIKTIQNFRNNIVAFVPNSGSARKLFAQDQADAWITWIDWSKSNPDIG TAVAIEKDLVVYRTFNVIAKEGASKETQDFIAYLSSKEAKEIFKKYGWRE

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0289c gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 11). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0289c gene, wherein the cj0289c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0289c gene, wherein the cj0289c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Peb3 protein, wherein said Peb3 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Peb3 protein, wherein said Peb3 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12.

cj0365c—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0365c gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0365c gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0365c gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0365c gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0365c gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 13) ATGAATAAAATAATTTCAATTAGTGCTATAGCAAGTTTTACTCTTTTGAT TTCAGCTTGCTCTTTAAGTCCAAATTTAAATATTCCCGAAGCAAACTATA GCATTGATAATAAGCTTGGAGCCTTATCTTGGGAAAAAGAAAACAATAGC TCTATCACAAAAAATTGGTGGAAAGACTTTGATGATGAAAATTTAAATAA AGTGGTTGATTTAGCACTTAAAAATAATAATGATTTAAAACTTGCTTTCA TACACATGGAACAAGCTGCTGCTCAATTAGGTATAGATTTTAGCAGTTTG TTGCCAAAATTTGATGGTAGCGCAAGCGGAAGTCGTGCAAAAACAGCTAT AAATGCTCCAAGCAATCGAACTGGGGAAGTAAGTTACGGTAATGATTTTA AAATGGGACTTAATTTAAGCTATGAAATCGATCTTTGGGGAAAATATCGC GATACATATCGCGCCTCAAAATCAGGCTTTAAAGCAAGTGAGTATGATTA TGAAGCTGCAAGACTTTCTGTTATTTCAAATACAGTTCAAACTTATTTTA ATCTTGTAAATGCTTATGAAAATGAAAATGCTCTTAAAGAAGCCTATAAA TCTGCAAAAGAAATTTATAGGATTAATGATGAAAAATTTCAAGTTGGTGC TGTAGGTGAATATGAACTTGCTCAAGCAAGAGCCAACTTAGAAAGTATGG CTTTGCAATATAATGAAGCAAAGTTAAATAAAGAAAATTACCTTAAAGCT TTAAAAATTTTAACTTCAAATGATTTAAATGACATACTTTACAAAAATCA AAGCTATCAAGTTTTTAATCTTAAAGAATTTGACATTCCAACTGGAATTT CAAGTACCATCTTGCTTCAACGTCCAGATATTGGCTCTTCTTTAGAAAAA TTAACTCAGCAAAATTATCTTGTTGGAGTAGCTCGCACGGCTTTCTTACC TAGCCTTTCTTTAACAGGATTATTGGGATTTGAAAGCGGGGATTTAGATA CCTTGGTTAAAGGAGGTTCTAAGACTTGGAATATAGGTGGAAACTTTACT CTGCCTATTTTTCATTGGGGTGAAATTTACCAAAATGTAAATTTAGCCAA GCTTAATAAAGATGAAGCTTTTGTAAATTATCAAAATACTTTGATTACTG CTTTTGGAGAAATTCGCTATGCTTTAGTAGCTAGAAAAACTATACGCTTA CAATACGATAATGCACAAGCAAGCGAACAATCTTACAAAAGAATCTATGA AATTGCTAAAGAACGCTATGATATAGGAGAAATGTCTTTGCAAGATTATT TAGAGGCACGTCAAAATTGGCTTAATGCTGCGGTTGCTTTTAATAATATT AAATATTCTTATGCCAATTCCATAGTAGATGTAATCAAAGCATTTGGTGG AGGATTTGAGCAAAGTGAAGATACGAGTAAAAATATAAAAGAAGAATCAA AAAATTTAGATATGTCTTTTAGAGAATAG

The amino acid sequence of the CmeC protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 13 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 14) MNKIISISAIASFTLLISACSLSPNLNIPEANYSIDNKLGALSWEKENNS SITKNWWKDFDDENLNKVVDLALKNNNDLKLAFIHMEQAAAQLGIDFSSL LPKFDGSASGSRAKTAINAPSNRTGEVSYGNDFKMGLNLSYEIDLWGKYR DTYRASKSGFKASEYDYEAARLSVISNTVQTYFNLVNAYENENALKEAYK SAKEIYRINDEKFQVGAVGEYELAQARANLESMALQYNEAKLNKENYLKA LKILTSNDLNDILYKNQSYQVFNLKEFDIPTGISSTILLQRPDIGSSLEK LTQQNYLVGVARTAFLPSLSLTGLLGFESGDLDTLVKGGSKTWNIGGNFT LPIFHWGEIYQNVNLAKLNKDEAFVNYQNTLITAFGEIRYALVARKTIRL QYDNAQASEQSYKRIYEIAKERYDIGEMSLQDYLEARQNWLNAAVAFNNI KYSYANSIVDVIKAFGGGFEQSEDTSKNIKEESKNLDMSFRE

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0365c gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 13). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0365c gene, wherein the cj0365c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0365c gene, wherein the cj0365c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CmeC protein, wherein said CmeC protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CmeC protein, wherein said CmeC protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14.

cj0404—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0404 gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0404 gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0404 gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0404 gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0404 gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 15) ATGGAAAATCAAAAAAATGAATTTGATGATATTATTTTAGAAAAAAGTAA TAAAAGTGAAAAAGTAAAAAAAATTCTTTTACGAGTTATTGCTTTAGTTA TTTTGTTTTTAGCTATCATGATAGTTATGAAGCTTATTAATGGTAGTGGT GATGAAAATACGCAAAATCAAAGTGTATTGCCAAGTGAACCTATAGCAAC TCAAGACAATAACAATGATACTTCTTTTGAAAGTATGCCAATTACAGATA ATACTTCAGCAGAAGATCAATTTGAGGCATTAAGAAAACAATTTCAAGAT GAACAAAATACAACTCAAAATACAACAACCTCTAGTTCAAATAACAATGA TACTACAAATTTTGCTATGCCTGATCAAGAAGTTCCAGCAGAACCAACAG CAACTACTTCAGCAAATACCACTCCACAAGCAAGTACTCCTAAACAAGAA GTAACACAAACTGCAAAATCTAAAGAAGAAGCAAAAAAACAAACAGCTGT AAAAAAAGAAAAAGAAAGTGCAAAACAAACCCCTAAAAAAGAACAAAATG CAAATGATTTATTTAAAAATGTTGATGCTAAACCTGTACATCCAAGTGGT TTAGCATCGGGTATTTATGTGCAAATTTTCTCAGTAAGTAATTTGGATCA AAAATCAAAAGAACTTGCTTCTGTAAAGCAAAAAGGTTATGATTATAAAC TTTATAAAACTACAGTTGGAAGTAAAGAAATTACCAAGGTTTTAATAGGA CCATTTGAAAAGGCAGATATTGCAGCAGAACTTGCTAAAATCCGTAAGGA TATTGCAAAAGATGCTTTTTCTTTTACTTTAAAATGA

The amino acid sequence of the Cj0404 protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 15 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 16) MENQKNEFDDIILEKSNKSEKVKKILLRVIALVILFLAIMIVMKLINGSG DENTQNQSVLPSEPIATQDNNNDTSFESMPITDNTSAEDQFEALRKQFQD EQNTTQNTTTSSSNNNDTTNFAMPDQEVPAEPTATTSANTTPQASTPKQE VTQTAKSKEEAKKQTAVKKEKESAKQTPKKEQNANDLFKNVDAKPVHPSG LASGIYVQIFSVSNLDQKSKELASVKQKGYDYKLYKTTVGSKEITKVLIG PFEKADIAAELAKIRKDIAKDAFSFTLK

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0404 gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 15). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0404 gene, wherein the cj0404 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0404 gene, wherein the cj0404 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0404 protein, wherein said Cj0404 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0404 protein, wherein said Cj0404 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16.

cj0420—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0420 gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0420 gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0420 gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0420 gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0420 gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 17) ATGAAAAAAGTTTTATTGAGTTCATTGGTTGCGGTGTCTTTGTTAAGCAC AGGTTTGTTTGCTAAAGAATATACTTTAGATAAAGCACATACAGATGTAG GTTTTAAAATCAAACATTTACAAATTAGCAATGTAAAAGGAAATTTCAAA GATTATTCTGCGGTGATTGATTTTGATCCTGCGAGTGCTGAATTTAAAAA GCTTGATGTAACTATAAAAATCGCATCTGTAAATACAGAAAATCAAACAA GAGATAATCACTTACAACAAGATGATTTTTTCAAAGCAAAAAAATATCCT GATATGACTTTTACAATGAAAAAATATGAAAAAATCGATAATGAAAAAGG CAAAATGACAGGAACTTTAACTATAGCTGGAGTTTCTAAAGATATCGTTT TAGATGCTGAAATCGGCGGTGTAGCTAAAGGCAAAGATGGAAAAGAAAAA ATAGGATTTTCTTTAAATGGAAAAATCAAACGCTCTGATTTTAAATTTGC AACAAGTACTTCAACTATTACTTTAAGTGATGATATTAATTTAAATATCG AAGTTGAAGCGAACGAAAAATAA

The amino acid sequence of the Cj0420 protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 17 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 18) MKKVLLSSLVAVSLLSTGLFAKEYTLDKAHTDVGFKIKHLQISNVKGNFK DYSAVIDFDPASAEFKKLDVTIKIASVNTENQTRDNHLQQDDFFKAKKYP DMTFTMKKYEKIDNEKGKMTGTLTIAGVSKDIVLDAEIGGVAKGKDGKEK IGFSLNGKIKRSDFKFATSTSTITLSDDINLNIEVEANEK

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0420 gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 17). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0420 gene, wherein the cj0420 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0420 gene, wherein the cj0420 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0420 protein, wherein said Cj0420 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0420 protein, wherein said Cj0420 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18.

cj0427—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0427 gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0427 gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0427 gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0427 gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0427 gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 19) ATGATGGCTAAATTTAGAATTCAATACAGCGCAGGTTTTGGGCACTATAC GCAAAATCACAAGGGTTTTGGACCTACGATTTATATAGAAGAGGTCGTAG AGTTTGATAATGGCAAGGATTATTTTGACTATATAGATTTTTATAAAACT TATTCAAAGAGCGATGATACTTATTTTCATATCAGTTTTTTAGAAGATAG ACCTCTAAGCGATAAAGAAATCACCATTCGCAATGAATACCGCAAAATGC GTGATGAAAACTGTAAAAAAGCCAAGGAGGAATTTATAGCCAACAATGAG CTTGATGTGGAGCATTTGCCTACTCACCATGATTAA

The amino acid sequence of the Cj0427 protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 19 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 20) MMAKFRIQYSAGFGHYTQNHKGFGPTIYIEEVVEFDNGKDYFDYIDFYKT YSKSDDTYFHISFLEDRPLSDKEITIRNEYRKMRDENCKKAKEEFIANNE LDVEHLPTHHD

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0427 gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 19). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0427 gene, wherein the cj0427 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0427 gene, wherein the cj0427 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0427 protein, wherein said Cj0427 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0427 protein, wherein said Cj0427 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20.

cj0428—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0428 gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0428 gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0428 gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0428 gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0428 gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 21) ATGCAGGTAAATTATAGAACGATTAGCTCGTATGAATACGATGCTATTAG TGGTCAGTATAAACAGGTGGATAAACAGATTGAAGATTATTCTTCATCTG GAGATTCTGATTTTATGGATATGTTAAATAAGGCGGATGAGAAGTCAAGC GGAGATGCTTTAAATTCTAGCAGTAGTTTTCAAAGCAATGCGCAAAACTC AAATTCAAATTTAAGTAATTATGCTCAAATGTCAAATGTTTACGCTTATC GTTTTAGACAAAATGAAGGCGAGCTGTCTATGAGAGCTCAAAGTGCTAGC GTTCATAATGATCTTACACAACAAGGTGCAAATGAACAAAGTAAGAATAA TACTTTGTTAAATGATTTATTGAACGCAATTTAA

The amino acid sequence of the Cj0428 protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 21 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 22) MQVNYRTISSYEYDAISGQYKQVDKQIEDYSSSGDSDFMDMLNKADEKSS GDALNSSSSFQSNAQNSNSNLSNYAQMSNVYAYRFRQNEGELSMRAQSAS VHNDLTQQGANEQSKNNTLLNDLLNAI

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0428 gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 21). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0428 gene, wherein the cj0428 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0428 gene, wherein the cj0428 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0428 protein, wherein said Cj0428 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0428 protein, wherein said Cj0428 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22.

cj0588—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0588 gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0588 gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0588 gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0588 gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0588 gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 23) ATGCGTTTCGACTTCTTCGTGTCCAAACGTCTGAACATCAGCCGTAACAA AGCGCTGGAGCTGATCGAAAACGAAGAGATCCTGCTGAACGGCAAAAGCT TCAAAGCGTCCTTCGACGTGAAAAACTTCCTGGAAAACCTGAAAAAAACC CAGGACCTGAACCCGGAAGACATCCTGCTGGCGAACGAGCTGAAACTGGA CCTGCTGAGCGAAATCTACGTGTCCCGTGCGGCGCTGAAACTGAAAAAAT TCCTGGAAGAAAACGACATCGAAATCAAACACAAAAACTGTCTGGACATC GGCTCCAGCACCGGCGGCTTCGTGCAGATCCTGCTGGAAAACCAGGCGCT GAAAATCACCGCGCTGGACGTGGGCAGCAACCAGCTGCACCCGAGCCTGC GTGTGAACGAAAAAATCATCCTGCACGAAAACACCGACCTGCGTGCGTTC AAAAGCGAAGAAAAATTCGAACTGGTGACCTGCGACGTGAGCTTCATCTC CCTGATCAACCTGCTGTACTACATCGACAACCTGGCGCTGAAAGAAATCA TCCTGCTGTTCAAACCGCAGTTCGAAGTGGGCAAAAACATCAAACGTGAC AAAAAAGGCGTGCTGAAAGACGACAAAGCGATCCTGAAAGCGCGTATGGA CTTCGAAAAAGCGTGCGCGAAACT

The amino acid sequence of the TlyA protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 23 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 24) MRFDFFVSKRLNISRNKALELIENEEILLNGKSFKASFDVKNFLENLKKT QDLNPEDILLANELKLDLLSEIYVSRAALKLKKFLEENDIEIKHKNCLDI GSSTGGFVQILLENQALKITALDVGSNQLHPSLRVNEKIILHENTDLRAF KSEEKFELVTCDVSFISLINLLYYIDNLALKEIILLFKPQFEVGKNIKRD KKGVLKDDKAILKARMDFEKACAKLGWLLKNTQKSSIKGKEGNVEYFYYY IKN

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0588 gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 23). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0588 gene, wherein the cj0588 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0588 gene, wherein the cj0588 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a TlyA protein, wherein said TlyA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a TlyA protein, wherein said TlyA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24.

cj0921c—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0921c gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0921c gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0921c gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0921c gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0921c gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 25) ATGGTTTTTAGAAAATCTTTGTTAAAGTTGGCAGTTTTTGCTCTAGGTGC TTGTGTTGCATTTAGCAATGCTAATGCAGCAGAAGGCAAACTGGAGTCCA TCAAATCCAAAGGCCAGCTGATCGTGGGCGTGAAAAACGACGTGCCGCAC TACGCTCTGCTGGACCAGGCAACCGGCGAAATCAAAGGCTTCGAAGTGGA CGTGGCCAAACTGCTGGCTAAAAGCATCCTGGGGGACGACAAAAAAATCA AACTGGTGGCAGTGAACGCCAAAACCCGTGGCCCGCTGCTGGACAACGGC AGCGTGGACGCGGTGATCGCAACCTTCACCATCACCCCGGAGCGCAAACG TATCTATAACTTCTCCGAGCCGTATTATCAGGACGCTATCGGCCTGCTGG TTCTGAAAGAAAAAAAATATAAATCTCTGGCTGACATGAAAGGTGCAAAC ATCGGCGTGGCTCAAGCTGCAACTACAAAAAAAGCTATCGGCGAAGCTGC TAAAAAAATCGGCATCGACGTGAAATTCAGCGAATTCCCGGACTATCCGA GCATCAAAGCTGCTCTGGACGCTAAACGTGTGGACGCGTTCTCTGTGGAC AAATCCATCCTGCTGGGCTATGTGGACGACAAAAGCGAAATCCTGCCGGA CAGCTTCGAACCGCAGAGCTATGGCATCGTGACCAAAAAAGACGACCCGG CTTTCGCAAAATATGTGGACGACTTCGTGAAAGAACACAAAAACGAAATC GACGCTCTGGCGAAAAAATGGGGCCTGTAA

The amino acid sequence of the Peb1 protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 25 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 26) MVFRKSLLKLAVFALGACVAFSNANAAEGKLESIKSKGQLIVGVKNDVPH YALLDQATGEIKGFEVDVAKLLAKSILGDDKKIKLVAVNAKTRGPLLDNG SVDAVIATFTITPERKRIYNFSEPYYQDAIGLLVLKEKKYKSLADMKGAN IGVAQAATTKKAIGEAAKKIGIDVKFSEFPDYPSIKAALDAKRVDAFSVD KSILLGYVDDKSEILPDSFEPQSYGIVTKKDDPAFAKYVDDFVKEHKNEI DALAKKWGL

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0921c gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 25). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0921c gene, wherein the cj0921c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0921c gene, wherein the cj0921c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Peb1 protein, wherein said Peb1 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Peb1 protein, wherein said Peb1 protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26.

cj0982c—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0982c gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0982c gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0982c gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0982c gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0982c gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 27) ATGAAAAAAATACTTCTAAGTGTTTTAACGGCCTTTGTTGCAGTAGTATT GGCTGCGGCGGCAACTCCGACTCCAAAACCCTGAACTCCCTGGACAAAAT CAAACAGAACGGCGTGGTGCGTATCGGCGTGTTTGGCGACAAACCGCCGT TTGGCTATGTGGACGAAAAAGGCAACAACCAGGGCTATGACATCGCTCTG GCTAAACGTATCGCGAAAGAACTGTTTGGCGACGAAAACAAAGTGCAGTT TGTGCTGGTGGAAGCTGCGAACCGTGTGGAGTTTCTGAAATCCAACAAAG TGGACATCATCCTGGCTAACTTTACCCAGACCCCGCAGCGTGCGGAGCAG GTGGACTTTTGCTCCCCGTATATGAAAGTGGCTCTGGGCGTGGCTGTGCC GAAAGACAGCAACATCACCAGCGTGGAAGACCTGAAAGACAAAACCCTGC TGCTGAACAAAGGCACCACCGCGGACGCTTATTTTACCCAGAACTATCCG AACATCAAAACCCTGAAATATGACCAGAACACCGAAACCTTTGCGGCTCT GATGGACAAACGTGGCGACGCTCTGAGCCACGACAACACCCTGCTGTTTG CTTGGGTGAAAGACCACCCGGACTTTAAAATGGGCATCAAAGAGCTGGGC AACAAAGACGTGATCGCGCCGGCGGTGAAAAAAGGCGACAAAGAACTGAA AGAATTTATCGACAACCTGATCATCAAACTGGGCCAGGAGCAGTTTTTTC ACAAAGCTTATGACGAAACCCTGAAAGCTCACTTTGGCGACGACGTGAAA GCGGACGACGTGGTGATCGAAGGCGGCAAAATCTAA

The amino acid sequence of the CjaA protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 27 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 28) MKKILLSVLTAFVAVVLAACGGNSDSKTLNSLDKIKQNGVVRIGVFGDKP PFGYVDEKGNNQGYDIALAKRIAKELFGDENKVQFVLVEAANRVEFLKSN KVDIILANFTQTPQRAEQVDFCSPYMKVALGVAVPKDSNITSVEDLKDKT LLLNKGTTADAYFTQNYPNIKTLKYDQNTETFAALMDKRGDALSHDNTLL FAWVKDHPDFKMGIKELGNKDVIAPAVKKGDKELKEFIDNLIIKLGQEQF FHKAYDETLKAHFGDDVKADDVVIEGGKI

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0982c gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 27). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0982c gene, wherein the cj0982c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0982c gene, wherein the cj0982c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CjaA protein, wherein said CjaA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CjaA protein, wherein said CjaA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28.

cj0998c—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj0998c gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj0998c gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0998c gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj0998c gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj0998c gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 29) ATGAAAAAAATTCTTGTAAGTGTTTTAAGTTCTTGCTTGTTAGCTTCGGC TTTAAGTGCGGTGTCCTTCAAAGAAGACAGCCTGAAAATCTCCTTCGAAG GCTACAAAACCAAAGACATGATCGGCACCAAAGGCGAATTCAAAAACGTG GAATACAAATTCTCCAAAAACATCAAAGACCTGGCGAGCTACCTGAAAGG CGCGAAAGCGACCATCAAACCGAGCAACGCGTTCATGGGCGAAGGCAACG ACATCATCACCAACAACATCACCAAAGTGTTCTTCCCGGCGCTGCTGGGC GACACGGACATCAAAGTGGTGTTTCAGGACGTGATCGCGGGCGAAAACAA AGGCGTGATCTCCGCGAAAATCACCATGGACAAAAAAAGCACCATCGTGC CGCTGACCTATACCATCAAAGACAACAAATTTGAAGCGAAAGGCCAGCTG GACCTGCACACCTTTAAAAACGGCTCCAAAGCGCTGAAAGCGCTGAGCGA CGTGGCTGCAGGCCACGGCGGCATCTCCTGGCCGCTGGTGGACATCAGCT TTAACGCGGACCTGGCGGAATAA

The amino acid sequence of the Cj0998c protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 29 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 30) MKKILVSVLSSCLLASALSAVSFKEDSLKISFEGYKTKDMIGTKGEFKNV EYKFSKNIKD LASYLKGAKATIKPSNAFMGEGNDIITNNITKVFFPALLGDTDIKVVFQD VIAGENKGVI SAKITMDKKSTIVPLTYTIKDNKFEAKGQLDLHTFKNGSKALKALSDVAA GHGGISWPLVDISFNADLAE

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj0998c gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 29). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0998c gene, wherein the cj0998c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj0998c gene, wherein the cj0998c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0998c protein, wherein said Cj0998c protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj0998c protein, wherein said Cj0998c protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30.

cj1259—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj1259 gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj1259 gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj1259 gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj1259 gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj1259 gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 31) ATGAAACTAGTTAAACTTAGTTTAGTTGCAGCTCTTGCTGCAGGTGCTTT TTCAGCAGCTAACGCTACCCCGCTGGAAGAAGCGATCAAAGACGTGGACG TGTCCGGCGTGCTGCGTTACCGTTACGACACCGGCAACTTTGACAAAAAC TTCGTGAACAACTCCAACCTGAACAACAGCAAACAGGACCACAAATATCG TGCACAGGTGAACTTCAGTGCTGCTATCGCTGACAACTTCAAAGCTTTTG TGCAGTTTGACTATAACGCTGCTGACGGTGGCTATGGCGCTAACGGCATC AAAAACGACCAGAAAGGCCTGTTTGTGCGTCAGCTGTACCTGACTTATAC CAACGAAGACGTGGCTACCAGTGTGATCGCTGGTAAACAGCAGCTGAACC TGATCTGGACGGACAACGCTATCGACGGTCTGGTGGGCACCGGTGTGAAA GTGGTGAACAACAGCATCGACGGTCTGACTCTGGCTGCTTTTGCTGTGGA CAGCTTCATGGCTGCGGAGCAGGGTGCGGACCTGCTGGAACACAGTAACA TCTCCACCACCTCCAACCAGGCTCCGTTTAAAGTGGACTCCGTGGGCAAC CTGTACGGTGCTGCTGCTGTGGGTTCTTATGACCTGGCTGGTGGCCAGTT CAACCCGCAGCTGTGGCTGGCTTATTGGGACCAGGTGGCATTCTTCTATG CTGTGGACGCAGCTTATAGCACAACTATCTTTGACGGCATCAACTGGACA CTGGAAGGCGCTTACCTGGGAAACAGCCTGGACAGCGAACTGGACGACAA AACACACGCTAACGGCAACCTGTTTGCTCTGAAAGGCAGCATCGAAGTGA ACGGCTGGGACGCTAGCCTGGGTGGTCTGTACTACGGCGACAAAGAAAAA GCTTCTACAGTGGTGATCGAAGACCAGGGTAACCTGGGTTCTCTGCTGGC AGGTGAGGAAATCTTCTATACTACTGGCTCACGCCTGAACGGTGACACTG GTCGTAACATCTTCGGTTATGTGACTGGTGGATATACTTTCAACGAAACA GTGCGCGTGGGTGCTGACTTCGTGTATGGTGGAACAAAAACAGAAGCTGC TAACCACCTGGGTGGTGGTAAAAAACTGGAAGCTGTGGCACGCGTGGACT ACAAATACTCTCCGAAACTGAACTTCTCAGCATTCTATTCTTATGTGAAC CTGGACCAGGGTGTGAACACTAACGAAAGTGCTGACCACAGCACTGTGCG TCTGCAGGCTCTGTACAAATTCTAA

The amino acid sequence of the PorA protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 31 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 32) MKLVKLSLVAALAAGAFSAANATPLEEAIKDVDVSGVLRYRYDTGNFDKN FVNNSNLNNSKQDHKYRAQVNFSAAIADNFKAFVQFDYNAADGGYGANGI KNDQKGLFVRQLYLTYTNEDVATSVIAGKQQLNLIWTDNAIDGLVGTGVK VVNNSIDGLTLAAFAVDSFMAAEQGADLLEHSNISTTSNQAPFKVDSVGN LYGAAAVGSYDLAGGQFNPQLWLAYWDQVAFFYAVDAAYSTTIFDGINWT LEGAYLGNSLDSELDDKTHANGNLFALKGSIEVNGWDASLGGLYYGDKEK ASTVVIEDQGNLGSLLAGEEIFYTTGSRLNGDTGRNIFGYVTGGYTFNET VRVGADFVYGGTKTEAANHLGGGKKLEAVARVDYKYSPKLNFSAFYSYVN LDQGVNTNESADHSTVRLQALYKF

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj1259 gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 31). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj1259 gene, wherein the cj1259 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj1259 gene, wherein the cj1259 gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PorA protein, wherein said PorA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PorA protein, wherein said PorA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32.

cj1339c—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj1339c gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj1339c gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj1339c gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj1339c gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj1339c gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 33) ATGGGTTTTCGTATCAACACCAACGTGGCGGCTCTGAACGCAAAAGCAAA CGCGGATCTGAACAGCAAAAGCCTGGATGCTTCTCTGAGCCGTCTGAGCT CCGGCCTGCGTATCAACTCCGCAGCAGATGATGCTTCCGGGATGGCGATC GCAGATAGCCTGCGTTCTCAGGCTAACACTCTGGGCCAGGCTATCTCTAA CGGCAACGATGCTCTGGGCATCCTGCAGACTGCTGATAAAGCTATGGACG AGCAGCTGAAAATCCTGGATACCATCAAAACTAAAGCAACCCAGGCGGCT CAGGATGGCCAGAGCCTGAAAACCCGTACCATGCTGCAGGCAGATATCAA CCGTCTGATGGAAGAACTGGACAACATCGCAAACACTACTTCCTTTAACG GTAAACAGCTGCTGAGCGGCAACTTTATCAACCAGGAATTTCAGATCGGC GCAAGCTCCAACCAGACTGTGAAAGCTACTATCGGCGCAACTCAGTCTTC TAAAATCGGTCTGACCCGCTTTGAAACCGGCGGCCGTATCTCCACTAGCG GCGAAGTGCAGTTTACTCTGAAAAACTACAACGGTATCGATGATTTTCAG TTTCAGAAAGTGGTGATCTCCACTTCCGTGGGCACCGGCCTGGGCGCTCT GGCAGATGAGATCAACAAAAACGCTGATAAAACCGGTGTGCGTGCTACTT TTACAGTGGAAACTCGTGGTATCGCTGCAGTGCGTGCAGGCGCTACTTCA GATACTTTTGCTATCAACGGGGTGAAAATCGGCAAAGTGGATTACAAAGA TGGCGATGCTAACGGCGCCCTGGTGGCTGCAATCAACTCGGTGAAAGATA CCACCGGCGTGGAAGCTTCGATCGATGCTAACGGCCAGCTGCTGCTGACT TCCCGTGAAGGCCGTGGCATCAAAATCGATGGTAACATCGGTGGCGGTGC CTTTATCAACGCTGATATGAAAGAAAACTATGGCCGCCTGTCTCTGGTGA AAAACGATGGTAAAGATATCCTGATCAGCGGTAGCAACCTGTCTTCTGCA GGTTTTGGTGCAACCCAGTTTATCTCTCAGGCTTCTGTGTCTCTGCGTGA GTCCAAAGGCCAGATCGATGCTAACATCGCTGATGCTATGGGCTTTGGCT CTGCAAACAAAGGCGTGGTGCTGGGTGGTTATTCTTCTGTGAGCGCCTAT ATGAGCAGCGCAGGCAGCGGCTTTTCTTCCGGTTCCGGTTATTCTGTGGG TAGCGGCAAAAACTATTCCACCGGTTTTGCAAACGCTATCGCTATCTCCG CTGCTTCGCAGCTGTCTACGGTGTATAACGTGTCTGCAGGCTCAGGTTTT TCAAGCGGTTCCACCCTGTCTCAGTTTGCCACTATGAAAACCACTGCTTT TGGCGTGAAAGATGAAACCGCAGGTGTGACCACCCTGAAAGGCGCTATGG CTGTGATGGATATCGCTGAAACCGCTATCACCAACCTGGATCAGATCCGT GCCGACATCGGCTCGGTGCAGAACCAGGTGACATCCACTATCAACAACAT CACCGTGACTCAGGTGAACGTGAAAGCAGCAGAATCGCAGATCCGTGATG TGGACTTTGCAGCCGAGAGCGCAAACTACTCTAAAGCAAACATCCTGGCT CAGAGCGGCTCTTATGCCATGGCACAGGCTAACTCTGTGCAGCAGAACGT GCTGCGTCTGCTGCAGTA

The amino acid sequence of the FlaA protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 33 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 34) MGFRINTNVAALNAKANADLNSKSLDASLSRLSSGLRINSAADDASGMAI ADSLRSQANTLGQAISNGNDALGILQTADKAMDEQLKILDTIKTKATQAA QDGQSLKTRTMLQADINRLMEELDNIANTTSFNGKQLLSGNFINQEFQIG ASSNQTVKATIGATQSSKIGLTRFETGGRISTSGEVQFTLKNYNGIDDFQ FQKVVISTSVGTGLGALADEINKNADKTGVRATFTVETRGIAAVRAGATS DTFAINGVKIGKVDYKDGDANGALVAAINSVKDTTGVEASIDANGQLLLT SREGRGIKIDGNIGGGAFINADMKENYGRLSLVKNDGKDILISGSNLSSA GFGATQFISQASVSLRESKGQIDANIADAMGFGSANKGVVLGGYSSVSAY MSSAGSGFSSGSGYSVGSGKNYSTGFANAIAISAASQLSTVYNVSAGSGF SSGSTLSQFATMKTTAFGVKDETAGVTTLKGAMAVMDIAETAITNLDQIR ADIGSVQNQVTSTINNITVTQVNVKAAESQIRDVDFAAESANYSKANILA QSGSYAMAQASVQQNVLRLLQ

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj1339c gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 33). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj1339c gene, wherein the cj1339c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj1339c gene, wherein the cj1339c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a FlaA protein, wherein said FlaA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a FlaA protein, wherein said FlaA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34.

cj1478c—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj1478c gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj1478c gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj1478c gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj1478c gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj1478c gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 35) ATGAAAAAAATCTTCCTGTGTCTGGGCCTGGCGAGCGTGCTGTTTGGCGC TGACAACAACGTGAAATTTGAAATCACCCCGACCCTGAACTATAACTACT TTGAAGGCAACCTGGACATGGACAACCGTTATGCGCCGGGGATCCGTCTG GGCTATCACTTTGACGACTTTTGGCTGGACCAGCTGGAATTTGGGCTGGA GCACTATTCTGACGTGAAATATACCAACACCAACAAAACCACCGACATCA CCCGTACCTATCTGAGCGCTATCAAAGGCATCGACGTGGGTGAGAAATTT TATTTCTATGGCCTGGCAGGCGGCGGCTATGAGGACTTTTCCAACGCTGC GTATGACAACAAAAGCGGCGGCTTTGGCCACTATGGCGCGGGCGTGAAAT TCCGTCTGAGCGACTCTCTGGCTCTGCGTCTGGAAACCCGTGACCAGATC AACTTCAACCACGCAAACCACAACTGGGTGTCCACTCTGGGCATCAGCTT TGGCTTTGGCGGCAAAAAAGAAAAAGCTGTGGAAGAAGTGGCTGACACCC GTGCAACTCCGCAGGCCAAATGTCCGGTGGAACCGCGTGAAGGCGCTCTG CTGGACGAAAACGGCTGCGAAAAAACCATCTCTCTGGAAGGCCACTTTGG CTTTGACAAAACCACCATCAACCCGACTTTTCAGGAAAAAATCAAAGAAA TCGCAAAAGTGCTGGACGAAAACGAACGTTATGACACTATCCTGGAAGGC CACACCGACAACATCGGCTCCCGTGCTTATAACCAGAAACTGTCCGAACG TCGTGCTAAAAGCGTGGCTAACGAACTGGAAAAATATGGCGTGGAAAAAA GCCGCATCAAAACAGTGGGCTATGGCCAGGACAACCCGCGCTCCAGCAAC GACACCAAAGAAGGCCGCGCGGACAACCGTCGCGTGGACGCTAAATTTAT CCTGCGCTAA

The amino acid sequence of the CadF protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 35 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 36) MKKIFLCLGLASVLFGADNNVKFEITPTLNYNYFEGNLDMDNRYAPGIRL GYHFDDFWLDQLEFGLEHYSDVKYTNTNKTTDITRTYLSAIKGIDVGEKF YFYGLAGGGYEDFSNAAYDNKSGGFGHYGAGVKFRLSDSLALRLETRDQI NFNHANHNWVSTLGISFGFGGKKEKAVEEVADTRATPQAKCPVEPREGAL LDENGCEKTISLEGHFGFDKTTINPTFQEKIKEIAKVLDENERYDTILEG HTDNIGSRAYNQKLSERRAKSVANELEKYGVEKSRIKTVGYGQDNPRSSN DTKEGRADNRRVDAKFILR

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj1478c gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 35). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj1478c gene, wherein the cj1478c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj1478c gene, wherein the cj1478c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CadF protein, wherein said CadF protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CadF protein, wherein said CadF protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36.

cj1534c—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj1534c gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj1534c gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj1534c gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj1534c gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj1534c gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 37) ATGTCCGTGACCAAACAGCTGCTGCAGATGCAGGCGGACGCGCACCACCT GTGGGTGAAATTCCACAACTACCACTGGAACGTGAAAGGCCTGCAGTTCT TCTCCATCCACGAGTACACCGAAAAAGCGTACGAAGAAATGGCAGAACTG TTCGACAGCTGTGCGGAACGTGTGCTGCAGCTGGGCGAAAAAGCGATCAC CTGCCAGAAAGTGCTGATGGAAAACGCGAAAAGCCCGAAAGTGGCGAAAG ACTGCTTCACCCCGCTGGAAGTGATCGAACTGATCAAACAGGACTACGAA TACCTGCTGGCGGAATTCAAAAAACTGAACGAAGCGGCAGAAAAAGAAAG CGACACCACCACCGCTGCTTTCGCGCAGGAAAACATCGCGAAATATGAAA AAAGTCTGTGGATGATCGGCGCTACCCTGCAGGGCGCTTGCAAAATGTAA

The amino acid sequence of the Dps protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 37 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 38) MSVTKQLLQMQADAHHLWVKFHNYHWNVKGLQFFSIHEYTEKAYEEMAEL FDSCAERVLQLGEKAITCQKVLMENAKSPKVAKDCFTPLEVIELIKQDYE YLLAEFKKLNEAAEKESDTTTAAFAQENIAKYEKSLWMIGATLQGACKM

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj1534c gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 37). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj1534c gene, wherein the cj1534c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj1534c gene, wherein the cj1534c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Dps protein, wherein said Dps protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Dps protein, wherein said Dps protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38.

cj1656c—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a cj1656c gene (e.g., a C. jejuni cj1656c gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj1534c gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a cj1534c gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni cj1656c gene is provided below:

ATGGTTTCAGATGTTTCTATGGGTAATGTTAATTTAATGACTGCTGTTAA TACTTCAGTTTTGAAAAAATCTATGGACACAAACGAGGCATTGATGAATG AACTCATCGAAGGTATGGAAGGTGTCTCTCAAGCCTCCGCTCCACAAGCT TCTAGCTCTAGTGGTTTGGATATTTACGCTTAA (SEQ ID NO: 39)

The amino acid sequence of the Cj1656c protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 39 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 40) MVSDVSMGNVNLMTAVNTSVLKKSMDTNEALMNELIEGMEGVSQASAPQA SSSSGLDIYA

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni cj1656c gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 39). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj1656c gene, wherein the cj1656c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a cj1656c gene, wherein the cj1656c gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:39.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj1656c protein, wherein said Cj1656cs protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cj1656c protein, wherein said Cj1656c protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40.

B. Campylobacter Glycosylation Proteins

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium has been genetically engineered to produce the Campylobacter jejuni N-glycan in its surface. The C. jejuni N-glycan is a heptasaccharide ((GalNAc-α1,4-GalNAc-α1,4-[Glc-β-1,3]GalNAc-α1,4-GalNAc-α1,4-GalNAc-α1,3-diNAcBac; diNAcBac is 2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-D-glucopyranose, GalNAc is N-acetylgalactosamine and Glc is glucose), and is commonly found in all C. jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates. In Campylobacter, the N-glycan is added to multiple periplasmic and membrane proteins, and is immunogenic in rabbits and humans (see, e.g., Nothaft et al. (2012) Mol. Cell. Proteomics 11: 1203-19 (13); and Szymanski et al. (2003) J Biol Chem. 278: 24509-20 (14)).

The C. jejuni N-glycan is conjugated onto the asparagine within the Glu/Asp Xaa1 Asn-Xaa2-Ser/Thr (SEQ ID NO: 41) glycosylation consensus motif. In C. jejuni, the genes encoding proteins that mediate N-linked glycosylation are present in a 17-kb locus named the pgl operon which contains 14 open reading frames (ORFs) (see Wacker et al. (2002) Science 298: 1790-3(15)). The 14 ORFs encode several glycotransferases and sugar biosynthetic enzymes which in concert generate a lipid-linked heptasaccharide precursor. The heptasaccharide is transferred onto the target asparagine by PglB in the bacterial periplasm. The C. jejuni pgl operon comprises the following genes: wlaA, gne, pglK, pglH, pglI, pglJ, pglB, pglA, pglC, pglD, wlaJ, pglE, pglF, and pglG (FIG. 6).

TABLE A pgl operon gene size and GC contents gene aa bp GC % wlaA 264 795 29.6 gne 330 993 34.0 pglK 526 1581 29.0 pglH 354 1062 30.7 pglI 304 912 29.3 pglJ 362 1089 29.6 pglB 713 2142 29.2 pglA 376 1128 30.8 pglC 198 597 31.7 pglD 195 588 31.1 wlaJ 217 654 24.3 pglE 386 1161 31.0 pglF 590 1770 30.7 pglG 297 894 30.1

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pgl operon (e.g., a C. jejuni pgl operon or a C. coli pgl operon). In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises at least one pgl operon gene selected from the group consisting of walA, gne, pglK, pglH, pglI, pglJ, pglB, pglA, pglC, pglD, wlaJ, pglE, pglF, and pglG. Expression of the nucleic acid comprising the pgl operon or of one or more of the pgl operon genes may confer the bacterium (e.g., a non-Campylobacter bacterium) the ability to synthesize and N-glycan and conjugate the N-glycan to proteins comprising the Glu/Asp Xaa1 Asn-Xaa2-Ser/Thr (SEQ ID NO: 41) glycosylation consensus motif.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pgl operon is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pgl operon is located on a chromosome of the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pgl operon is located at the chromosomal locus corresponding to the locus of an endogenous cysG gene that has been deleted or altered in the bacterial chromosome. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pgl operon is operably linked to a regulatable promoter (e.g., a LacI-regulatable promoter such as P_(trc)).

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pgl operon is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 42) GGATTACAAATGGCAAAAAATGAAGGTTATATTTGTGTTTTTGATTGTGA GAGTGTGCCAGATGTTGAGCTTATCCGCAAAACTTTGGGTTTTGAAGGAA GTGATTTAGAGGTAAGTTTAAAAGCACTTCAGTGGCAAAAAGAACAAAGT GGGAGTGAGTTTTTGCCTTTGCCTTATCATAAAATTATCAGTATTTGTGC GGTTTTAAGTGATAATTTTGGAAAATTTATCAAAGTGAATAAAATTGATG GACAAAATGAAAAAGAAATGATTGAGAATTTTTTCAATTTTATAGAAAAT TATGAGCCAAAATTAGTCAGTTTTAATGGTAAAAATTTCGATATGCCTGT TCTTGTTTTAAGGGCTTTAAAATACAATTTAAAAGCAGCAACTTATTTGG ATACTCAAAGTGATAAATGGAATAATTATAAAACAAGATTTTCAGAATTA AAACATTGTGATTTATTAGAATCCTTAGGATCTAACGGGCGTGGAATAAA GCTTGATACACTTTGTTCTATGGTGGGTTTGCCAGGAAAATATGATGTGC ATGGCGATGAGGTAATGAAACTTTTTTATGAAAATAAACTTGAAAAAATC CACGAATATTGTGAAAGTGATGTTTTAAACACCTATATGCTTTTTTTAAA ATATGAACTTATTAAAGCTAATGTTGATGAAGAAGATTATGTTGGTTTTC TTTCTTATATGAGAGATTTCTTGTGTGCAAAAAAATCAGATCGTTCTTAT ACAGAAGTTTTTGCAAAAGCTTGTGAGAGTGAAATTTCAAAAGTTCGATC TTAAGTATTTAAGAAAATATATTAAAATTTATTTTTGACATTTTTAAAAA AAGGAATGATGATGAAAATTCTTATTAGCGGTGGTGCAGGTTATATAGGT TCTCATACTTTAAGACAATTTTTAAAAACAGATCATGAAATTTGTGTTTT AGATAATCTTTCTAAGGGTTCTAAAATCGCAATAGAAGATTTGCAAAAAA CAAGAGCTTTTAAATTTTTCGAACAAGATTTAAGTGATTTTCAAGGCGTA AAAGCATTGTTTGAGAGAGAAAAATTTGACGCTATTGTGCATTTTGCAGC AAGCATTGAAGTTTTTGAAAGTATGCAAAATCCTTTAAAATATTATATGA ACAACACTGTTAATACGACAAATCTCATCGAAACTTGTTTGCAAACTGGA GTGAATAAATTTATATTTTCTTCAACGGCGGCCACTTATGGCGAACCACA AACTCCCGTTGTGAGCGAAACAAGTCCTTTAGCACCTATTAATCCTTATG GGCGTAGTAAGCTTATGAGTGAAGAAGTTTTGCGTGATGCAAGTATGGCA AATCCTGAATTTAAGCATTGTATTTTAAGATATTTTAATGTTGCAGGTGC TTGTATGGATTATACTTTAGGACAACGCTATCCAAAAGCGACTTTGCTTA TAAAAGTTGCAGCTGAATGTGCCGCAGGAAAACGTGATAAACTTTTCATA TTTGGCGATGATTATGATACAAAAGATGGTACTTGCATAAGAGATTTTAT CCATGTAGATGATATTTCAAGTGCACATTTAGCGGCTTTGGATTATTTAA AAGAGAATGAAAGCAATGTTTTTAATGTAGGTTATGGACATGGTTTTAGC GTAAAAGAAGTGATTGAAGCGATGAAAAAAGTTAGCGGAGTGGATTTTAA AGTAGAACTTGCCCCACGCCGTGCGGGTGATCCTAGTGTATTGATTTCTG ATGCAAGTAAAATCAGAAATCTTACTTCTTGGCAGCCTAAATATGATGAT TTAGAGCTTATTTGTAAATCTGCTTTTGATTGGGAAAAACAGTGTTAAAA AAACTTTTTTTTATTTTAAGTAAGGAAGATAAAAATTTTTTATTTTTCTT GCTTGTTTTTTCAGTATTTATTTCTTTTATAGAAACTTTTGCAATTTCTT TGGTAATGCCTTTTATCACTTTGGCTAGTGATTTTTCTTATTTTGATCGT AATAAATATTTAATCAGCCTAAAAGAATATCTTAATATCCCTGTTTTTGA AATCATTGTTTATTTTGGAGTGGGGCTTATTGTTTTTTATGTGTTTAGAG CTTTGTTAAATGCGTATTATTTTCATCTTTTGGCAAGATTTTCTAAAGGG CGTTATCATGCGATCGCTTATAAGGTTTTTTCTAAATTTTTAAATATTAA TTATGAAAAATTTACTCAAAAAAATCAATCTGAAATTTTAAAGTCCATTA CAGGGGAAGTTTATAATCTAAGCACTATGATTTCATCATTTTTACTTTTG ATGAGTGAAATTTTTGTAGTACTTTTGCTTTATGCTTTAATGCTTTTGAT TAATTATAAAATCACTTTGTTTTTAAGTATTTTTATGGTGTTAAATGCCT TTATTTTAGTGAAAATTTTAAGCCCTATCATTAAAAAAGCAGGAGTAAGA CGCGAAGAAGCGATGAAAAATTTCTTTGAAATTTTAAATACAAATTTAAA TAATTTCAAATTTATTAAGCTTAAAACCAAAGAAGATGGAGTATTAAGTC TTTTTAAAGCGCAAAGTGAAGCTTTTTCTAAAGCAAATATTACCAACGAA AGCGTAGCTGCGGTGCCTAGAATTTATCTTGAAGGAATAGGCTTTTGCGT ACTTGTTTTTATCGTGGTATTTTTGGTTTTGAAAAATGAAAGTGATATTT CAGGTATTTTATCCACGATTTCTATTTTTGTTTTAGCGCTTTATCGCTTA ATGCCAAGTGCAAATCGTATTATTACAAGTTATCATGATTTGCTTTATTA TCATTCTTCTTTGGATATTATTTATCAAAATTTAAGACAAGAAGAAGAAA ATTTGGGCGAGGAAAAATTAAGCTTTAATCAAGAGCTTAAAATTTGCAAT CTTAGCTTTGGTTATGAGGGAAAAAAATATTTATTTAAAAATCTTAACTT AAATATTAAAAAAGGCGAAAAAATCGCTTTTATAGGGGAGAGTGGTTGTG GAAAAAGTACCTTAGTAGATCTTATCATAGGACTTTTAAAACCAAAAGAA GGGCAAATTTTAATTGATGAGCAAGAATTAAATGCAAATAATACAAAAAA TTATCGCCAAAAAATAGGCTATATCCCGCAAAATATCTATCTTTTTAATG ACAGTATAGCTAAAAATATCACTTTTGGAGATGCGGTTGATGAAGAAAAA CTTAATAGGGTTATCAAACAAGCAAATTTAGAGCATTTTATAAAAAATTT ACCTCAAGGAGTGCAAACAAAAGTGGGCGATGGGGGGAGTAATTTAAGCG GGGGACAAAAACAACGCATAGCTATAGCAAGAGCTTTATATTTAGAGCCT GAAATGTTAGTGCTTGATGAAGCAACTTCTGCGCTTGATACTCAAAGTGA AGCAAAAATTATGGATGAAATTTATAAAATTTCTAAAGATAAAACCATGA TTATTATCGCACATCGCCTTTCTACGATAACACAATGTGATAAGGTTTAT CGTTTAGAACACGGTAAGCTTAAAGAGGAGAAATGATGAAAATAAGCTTT ATTATCGCAACTTTAAATTCAGGAGGTGCTGAGCGTGCTTTAGTAACCTT AGCTAATGCACTTTGCAAAGAGCATGAAGTAAGTATTATTAAATTTCATG CAGGAGAATCTTTTTATAAGCTTGAAAATGAAGTTAAAGTTACAAGTTTG GAACAATTTAGATTTGACACGCTTTATCATAAAATCGCAAGTCGTTTTAA GAAATTTTTTGCTTTAAGAAAGGCTTTGAAAGAAAGTAAGTCTGATGTTT TTATTTCTTTTTTGGATACGACTAATATTGCTTGTATTGCTGCGAAAATA GGGCTTAAAACTCCACTCATTATAAGTGAGCATAGCAATGAAGCGTATTT AAAACCTAAAATTTGGCGTTTTTTAAGAAGGGTAAGCTATCCTTTTTGTG ATGCTTTAAGTGTGCTTGGAAGCAGTGATAAGGTGTATTATGAAAGATTT GTAAAAAGGGTTAAGCTTTTATTAAACCCTTGTCATTTTAGCGATGAAAT TTCTTTTGATTCTAGTTTTGAAAAGGAAAATTTGGTTCTTTTTATAGGGC GTTTAGATCACAACAAAAACCCTGTAATGTTTTTAAAAGCTATAGCGCAT TTGGATAAAAATTTACAAGAAAATTATAAATTTGTTATAGCAGGAGATGG ACAGTTAAGACAAGAACTTGAATATAAGGTAAAATCTTTAGGAATAAAAG TTGATTTTTTAGGACGCGTTGAAAATGTCAAGGCTCTTTATGAAAAAGCA AAAGTGCTTTGCCTTTGTTCTTTTGTAGAGGGTTTGCCAACGGTTTTAAT TGAAAGTTTGTATTTTGAGGTTTGTAGAATTTCAAGTTCTTATTATAATG GTGCTAAGGATTTAATCAAAGATAATCATGATGGGCTTTTGGTAGGTTGT GATGATGAAATAGCACTTGCTAAAAAACTTGAACTTGTTTTAAATGATGA AAATTTTAGAAAAGAACTTGTAAATAATGCCAAACAAAGGTGTAAAGACT TTGAAATTTCTCATATCAAAGAAGAATGGCTTAAGCTTATAGCCGAGGTT AAAAATGCCTAAACTTTCTGTTATAGTACCAACTTTTAATCGTCAAGTTT TGTTAGAAAAGGCTATTAAAAGCATACAAAATCAAGATTTTAAAGATTTA GAAATTATTGTAAGCGATGATAATTCTAGCGATGATACTAAAAGTGTGGT GCAAAATTTACAAAAAGATGATGATCGCATTAAGTATTTTTTAAATCAAA ATTACAAACAAGGTCCAAATGGCAATAAAAACAATGGCTTAGATCAAGCA AGTGGCGAGTTTGTAACTTTTTTAGATGATGATGATGAGCTTTTATCCGG GGCTTTAAGTACCTTGATGCAAAAAGCAAATGAGGGTTATGCTCATGTTT TTGGAAATTGTTTGATAGAAAAAGAAGGAAATTTAAGCAAGGAATTTAGC GGCAAGGGCTTGGAAAAAGATAGTGAAATTTCTAAAAAAGATTTTTTAAT GGCTAAATTTAGCGGAGAGTTTTTTTCTGTTTTTAAAAAATCCCTACTTG AAAATAAGCGTTTTAATGAAGAATTTTATGGCAATGAAGCCACGCTTTGG GTAAATTTATACAAAGAAAAAAGTTTTTATATCCATAAGGCTTTTAGGAT TTATAGAATTTTTAGGCAAGATAGCGTGACTTTAGGGGCGAGTAAAAATG CTTATAGGGTGTATTTGGGATATTTAGAGCTTGCTAAAATTTTAGAAAAT GAACTTAGAATGAGTAAGGATAAAGATTATAAAAAAACTTGTGCGAGTTA TTATAAAATGGCAGCTTATTATGCAAAACTTGCAAAAAATTATAAAGCCC TTTATAAATGTTTGTTTAAAAGCCTAAGTATAAAAATCAACGCTCCTGCT TTGATATTACTCATTTTAAGTATAATTCCAAATAATATGATTGAAAAATT ATCAAAAATTCGGGTGGCTTTATGCAAAAATTAGGCATTTTTATTTATTC TTTAGGAAGTGGTGGTGCTGAAAGAGTTGTGGCGACTTTATTGCCTATTT TAAGTTTGAAATTTGAAGTGCATTTGATCTTGATGAATGATAAAATTTCT TATGAAATTCCAGAGTGTCAAATTCATTTTTTAGAATGTTCAAAACCTAG TGAAAATCCTATTTTGAAATTTTTAAAACTACCTTTTTTGGCTTTAAAAT ACAAAAAACTTTGCAGAAATTTAGGTATTGATACAGAATTTGTTTTTTTA AATCGACCTAATTATATAGCTTTAATGGCAAGAATGTTTGGAAACAAAAC TCGCCTTGTGATCAATGAATGCACTACGCCAAGTGTGATGTATATGAAAA ATAATTTTAATTCTTTGGTAAATAAATTTTTAATTTCTTTGCTTTACCCA AAAGCTGATTTAATCTTGCCTAATTCTAAGGGAAATTTAGAAGATTTAGT GCAAAATTTTAGTATAAGTCCAAAAAAATGTGAAATTTTATACAATGCCA TCGATTTAGAAAACATAGGGCAAAAAGCCCTTGAAGACATAGCTTTAAAA GATAAATTTATTTTAAGTGTAGGCAGGCTTGATAAAGGTAAAAATCATGC TTTATTAATTCGTGCTTATGCGAGATTGAAAACAGATTTAAAGCTTGTGA TTTTAGGTGAAGGTGTGCTTAAGGATGAGCTTTTAGCTTTGATTAAAGAA TTAAATTTGGAAGAAAAGGTTTTGCTTTTAGGATTTGATAATAATCCTTA TAAATACATGGCTAAATGCGAATTTTTTGCTTTTGCTTCTGTGTTTGAAG GTTTTTCAAATGTTTTAATCGAAAGTTTGGCTTGTTCTTGTGCGGTGGTT TGCACTGATCATAAAAGTGGTGCAAGAGAGCTTTTTGGCGATGATGAATT TGGACTTTTAGTAGAAGTAGATAATGAAAACTCTATGTTTCAGGGTTTAA AAACTATGCTTGAAGACGATAAATTAAGAAAAGCGTATAAAAACAAAGCT AAAACTAGGGCTAAAGCCTTTGATAAAGTAAAAATTGCACGCGATGCTTT GAAATATTTATTAGGATAAAAGATGTTGAAAAAAGAGTATTTAAAAAACC CTTATTTAGTTTTGTTTGCGATGATTGTATTAGCTTATGTTTTTAGTGTA TTTTGCAGGTTTTATTGGGTTTGGTGGGCAAGTGAGTTTAACGAGTATTT TTTCAATAATCAATTAATGATCATTTCAAACGATGGCTATGCTTTTGCTG AGGGCGCAAGAGATATGATAGCAGGTTTTCATCAGCCTAATGATTTGAGT TATTATGGATCTTCTTTATCTACGCTTACTTATTGGCTTTATAAAATCAC ACCTTTTTCTTTTGAAAGTATCATTTTATATATGAGTACTTTTTTATCTT CTTTGGTGGTGATTCCTATTATTTTACTAGCTAATGAATACAAACGCCCT TTAATGGGCTTTGTAGCTGCTCTTTTAGCAAGTGTAGCAAACAGTTATTA TAATCGCACTATGAGTGGGTATTATGATACGGATATGCTGGTAATTGTTT TACCTATGTTTATTTTATTTTTTATGGTAAGAATGATTTTAAAAAAAGAC TTTTTTTCATTGATTGCCTTGCCATTATTTATAGGAATTTATCTTTGGTG GTATCCTTCAAGTTATACTTTAAATGTAGCTTTAATTGGACTTTTTTTAA TTTATACACTTATTTTTCATAGAAAAGAAAAGATTTTTTATATAGCTGTG ATTTTGTCTTCTCTTACTCTTTCAAATATAGCATGGTTTTATCAAAGTGC CATTATAGTAATACTTTTTGCTTTATTTGCTTTAGAGCAAAAACGCTTAA ATTTTATGATTATAGGAATTTTAGGTAGTGCAACTTTGATATTTTTGATT TTAAGTGGTGGGGTTGATCCCATACTTTATCAGCTTAAATTTTATATTTT TAGAAGCGATGAAAGTGCGAATTTAACACAGGGCTTTATGTATTTTAATG TTAATCAAACCATACAAGAAGTTGAAAATGTAGATTTTAGCGAATTTATG CGAAGAATTAGTGGTAGTGAAATTGTTTTCTTGTTTTCTTTGTTTGGTTT TGTATGGCTTTTGAGAAAACATAAAAGTATGATTATGGCTTTACCTATAT TGGTGCTTGGGTTTTTAGCCTTAAAAGGAGGACTTAGATTTACCATTTAT TCTGTACCTGTAATGGCTTTAGGATTTGGTTTTTTATTGAGCGAGTTTAA GGCTATATTGGTTAAAAAATATAGCCAATTAACTTCAATGTTTGTATTGT TTTTGCAACTATTTTGACTTTGGCTCCAGTATTTATCCATATTTACAACT ATAAAGCGCCAACAGTTTTTTCTCAAAATGAAGCATCATTATTAAATCAA TTAAAAAATATAGCCAATAGAGAAGATTATGTGGTAACTTGGTGGGATTA TGGTTATCCTGTGCGTTATTATAGCGATGTGAAAACTTTAGTAGATGGTG GAAAGCATTTAGGTAAGGATAATTTTTTCCCTTCTTTTTCTTTAAGTAAA GATGAACAAGCTGCAGCTAATATGGCAAGACTTAGTGTAGAATATACAGA AAAAAGCTTTTATGCTCCGCAAAATGATATTTTAAAATCAGACATTTTAC AAGCCATGATGAAAGATTATAATCAAAGCAATGTGGATTTATTTCTAGCT TCATTATCAAAACCTGATTTTAAAATCGATACACCAAAAACTCGTGATAT TTATCTTTATATGCCCGCTAGAATGTCTTTGATTTTTTCTACGGTGGCTA GTTTTTCTTTTATTAATTTAGATACAGGAGTTTTGGATAAACCTTTTACC TTTAGCACAGCTTATCCACTTGATGTTAAAAATGGAGAAATTTATCTTAG CAACGGAGTGGTTTTAAGCGATGATTTTAGAAGTTTTAAAATAGGTGATA ATGTGGTTTCTGTAAATAGTATCGTAGAGATTAATTCTATTAAACAAGGT GAATACAAAATCACTCCAATCGATGATAAGGCTCAGTTTTATATTTTTTA TTTAAAGGATAGTGCTATTCCTTACGCACAATTTATTTTAATGGATAAAA CCATGTTTAATAGTGCTTATGTGCAAATGTTTTTTTTGGGAAATTATGAT AAGAATTTATTTGACTTGGTGATTAATTCTAGAGATGCTAAAGTTTTTAA ACTTAAAATTTAAGGGTTGAAAATGAGAATAGGATTTTTATCACATGCAG GAGCGAGTATTTATCATTTTAGAATGCCTATTATAAAAGCGTTAAAAGAT AGAAAAGACGAAGTTTTTGTTATAGTGCCGCAAGATGAATACACGCAAAA ACTTAGAGATCTTGGCTTAAAAGTAATTGTTTATGAGTTTTCAAGAGCTA GTTTAAATCCTTTTGTGGTTTTAAAGAATTTTTTTTATCTTGCTAAGGTT TTGAAAAATTTAAATCTTGATTTTATTCAAAGTGCGGCACACAAAAGCAA TACTTTTGGAATTTTAGCAGCAAAATGGGCAAAAATTCCTTATCGTTTTG CCTTAGTAGAAGGCTTGGGATCTTTTTATATAGATCAAGGTTTTAAGGCA AATTTAGTGCGTTTTGTTATTAATAGTCTTTATAAATTAAGTTTTAAATT TGCACACCAATTTATTTTTGTCAATGAAAGTAATGCTGAGTTTATGCGGA ATTTAGGACTTAAAGAAAATAAAATTTGCGTGATAAAATCTGTAGGGATC AATTTAAAAAAATTTTTTCCTATTTATGTAGAATCGGAAAAAAAAGAGCT TTTTTGGAAAAATTTAAACATAGATAAAAAACCCATTGTGCTTATGATAG CAAGAGCTTTATGGCATAAGGGTGTAAAAGAATTTTATGAAAGTGCTACT ATGCTAAAAGACAAAGCAAATTTTGTTTTAGTTGGTGGAAGAGATGAAAA TCCTTCTTGTGCAAGTTTGGAGTTTTTAAACTCTGGCGCGGTGCATTATT TGGGTGCTAGAAGTGATATAGTCGAGCTTTTGCAAAATTGTGATATTTTT GTTTTGCCAAGCTATAAAGAAGGCTTTCCTGTAAGTGTTTTGGAGGCAAA AGCTTGCGGTAAGGCTATAGTGGTGAGTGATTGTGAAGGTTGTGTGGAGG CTATTTCTAATGCTTATGATGGACTTTGGGCAAAAACAAAAAATGCTAAA GATTTAAGCGAAAAAATTTCACTTTTATTAGAAGATGAAAAATTAAGATT AAATTTAGCTAAAAATGCCGCCCAAGATGCTTTACAATACGATGAAAATA TAATCGCACAGCGTTATTTAAAACTTTATGATAGGGTAATTAAGAATGTA TGAAAAAGTTTTTAAAAGAATTTTTGATTTTATTTTAGCTTTAGTGCTTT TAGTGCTTTTTTCTCCGGTGATTTTAATCACTGCTTTACTTTTAAAAATC ACTCAAGGAAGTGTGATTTTTACCCAAAATCGTCCCGGGTTAGATGAAAA AATTTTTAAAATTTATAAATTTAAAACCATGAGCGATGAAAGAGATGAAA AGGGTGAGTTATTAAGCGATGAATTGCGTTTGAAAGCTTTTGGAAAAATC GTTAGAAGCTTAAGTTTGGATGAGCTTTTGCAACTTTTTAATGTTTTAAA AGGGGATATGAGTTTTGTTGGACCTAGACCTCTTTTGGTTGAGTATTTGC CTCTTTACAATAAAGAGCAAAAATTGCGTCATAAAGTGCGTCCAGGTATA ACAGGATGGGCGCAGGTAAATGGTAGAAATGCTATTTCTTGGCAGAAAAA ATTCGAACTTGATGTGTATTATGTGAAAAATATTTCTTTTTTGCTTGATT TAAAAATCATGTTTTTAACAGCTTTAAAGGTTTTAAAACGAAGTGGGGTA AGCAAAGAAGGCCATGTTACAACAGAGAAATTTAATGGCAAGAACTGAAA AAATTTATATTTATGGTGCTAGTGGTCATGGGCTTGTTTGTGAAGATGTG GCTAAAAATATGGGTTATAAAGAATGTATTTTTTTAGATGATTTTAAAGG AATGAAATTTGAAAGTACCTTACCTAAATATGATTTTTTTATAGCCATAG GAAACAATGAAATTCGAAAAAAGATTTATCAAAAAATTTCAGAAAATGGC TTTAAAATTGTCAATCTTATCCATAAAAGCGCGCTTATAAGTCCTAGCGC AATCGTGGAAGAAAATGCAGGAATTTTAATCATGCCTTATGTAGTGATTA ACGCTAAAGCTAAAATAGAAAAAGGTGTGATTTTAAATACTTCAAGCGTA ATTGAGCATGAATGTGTGATAGGGGAATTTTCTCATGTGAGTGTGGGAGC TAAATGTGCGGGTAATGTAAAAATTGGTAAAAATTGTTTTTTAGGGATTA ATTCTTGTGTTTTGCCTAATTTAAGTTTGGCAGATGATAGTATTTTAGGT GGTGGAGCAACTTTAGTTAAAAATCAAGATGAAAAAGGTGTTTTTGTGGG AGTACCTGCAAAAAGGATGTAAATTGCATTTTAATAACAATCTTGTTGTT CACTATATAGTAAATCCTTCGCCTTTGGGGTGGATTGTCATTAATTTACT AACCATATGTCTAATATGCTACATATTTCCTTTGAAAAATTCTTTAAAAC ACAAAAAACTTTTTAGTCTTAAAGCAAATGTAAATTCTAAAAATAGTAGG ATTATAAAATATACAGGTATTGCTGCTTTTTTGGGTGGATTAATAGGAAT TTGGTATAATTTTGAAGGTTTTTATCAACTTCTTTTTTTCTTTGAATTAG AAAATGAAAATTTAAAAACACTTTGGAGTTTGCAAGTATCAGTTTCTTCT GTGATAACAGGTATGTTATTATTGTTGATATATGTTATAAATTTAGCAAT GGTTTGTGAAAATGGAATTTATATAGTTAGTAAATTTAATCTTTTTTATA TGTATTTTATAAAACGAGAAGATTTGGAAATTGTTAAAATAGAAAAAATG AAATTTTTAAATCAAGTTGAAGTTTGTTTTGTTATCAAAACAAAAAATAA AATACTCCTTAAATGCTTTGAAAGTATTTATAAAAAAGAAGACTTAGAAA AGCTTAAAAATTGGTATGAAAACAAGCTTTGACTATAAAAAGAATTTAAA TATTTGAATCTTTGTAAATTTTTTTAGGTAAAATAGAGTCAATTTATAAA AATTTTGTTTTACACAAAGGATAAATCATGAGATTTTTTCTTTCTCCTCC GCATATGGGTGGTAATGAATTAAAATACATAGAAGAAGTTTTCAAAAGCA ATTATATAGCACCTTTGGGTGAATTTGTAAATCGCTTTGAACAAAGTGTC AAGGCTTACAGTAAAAGTGAAAATGCCTTAGCTTTAAATTCAGCCACAGC GGCTTTGCATTTAGCTTTAAGGGTGGCAGGGGTAAAACAAGATGATATTG TTTTGGCTTCTTCTTTTACTTTTATCGCTTCAGTAGCACCTATTTGTTAT CTTAAAGCAAAACCTGTATTTATAGATTGTGATGAAACTTATAATATCGA TGTAGATTTATTAAAGCTTGCTATTAAAGAATGTGAAAAAAAACCAAAAG CATTGATTTTAACTCATCTTTATGGCAATGCGGCTAAAATGGATGAAATT GTTGAAATTTGCAAAGAAAATGAAATTGTTTTAATCGAAGATGCTGCTGA AGCTTTAGGAAGTTTTTATAAGAATAAAGCTTTAGGAACTTTTGGAGAAT TTGGAGCTTATTCTTATAATGGCAATAAAATTATCACCACTTCAGGTGGA GGTATGCTTATAGGAAAAAATAAAGAAAAGATTGAAAAAGCAAGATTTTA TAGCACTCAAGCTAGGGAAAATTGTTTGCATTATGAACATTTAGATTATG GTTATAATTACCGCTTAAGCAATGTTTTAGGAGCTATTGGCGTAGCGCAA ATGGAGGTTTTAGAACAAAGAGTGCTTAAAAAAAGAGAAATTTATGAGTG GTATAAAGAATTTTTAGGAGAGTGTTTTAGCTTTTTAGATGAATTAGAAA ATTCAAGAAGCAATCGCTGGTTAAGTACAGCTTTGATTGATTTTGATAAA AATGAACTTAATTCTTGTCAAAAAGATATAAATATCAGTCAAAAAAATAT TACTTTGCATCCAAAAATTTCAAAACTCATAGAAGATTTGAAAAATGAAC AAATAGAAACAAGACCATTATGGAAAGCTATGCACGCTCAAGAAGTATTT AAAGGAGCTAAGGCTTATCTTAATGGCAATAGTGAGTTATTTTTCCAAAA AGGAATTTGTTTGCCAAGTGGCACGGCGATGAGTAAAGATGATGTTTATG AAATTTCAAAACTGATCTTAAAGAGCATAAAGGCTTAAAATGATTTTTTA TAAAAGCAAAAGATTAGCATTTTTTTTAACTTCAGATATTGTTTTAATTT TACTTAGCGTTTATCTGGCTTTTTCTTTGAGATTTAGTGGAGATATTCCG AGTATTTTTTATCATGGTATGATGGTTTCTGCTATTATTTTGCTTGTTTT AAAACTTTCATTTTTGTTTGTTTTTAGAATTTATAAAGTAGCTTGGAGAT TTTTTTCTCTCAATGAAGCAAGAAAGATTTTTATCGCTTTGCTTTTAGCT GAGTTTTGTTTTTTTCTTATTTTTTATTTTTTTAGTGATTTTTTTAATCC TTTTCCAAGAAGTGCTATTGTGATAGATTTTGTTCTTTCTTATATGTTTA TAGGTACTTTAAGAATTAGCAAAAGAATGCTTGTGGATTTTAAACCTTCT AGAATGAAAGAAGAAGAAACTCCTTGTATTGTAGTAGGGGCAACTTCTAA GGCTTTGCATTTGTTAAAAGGTGCAAAAGAAGGTTCTTTAGGGCTTTTTC CTGTAGGCGTAGTTGATGCGAGAAAAGAGCTTATAGGGACTTATTGTGAT AAATTTATTGTAGAAGAAAAAGAAAAAATAAAATCTTATGTAGAACAAGG GGTAAAAACTGCCATTATTGCTTTAAGACTTGAACAAGAAGAGCTTAAAA AACTTTTTGAAGAACTTGTAGCTTATGGTATTTGCGATGTAAAAATATTT TCTTTTACAAGAAACGAAGCAAGAGATATCAGTATAGAAGACTTGCTTGC TAGAAAACCAAAAGATTTAGATGATAGTGCTGTGGCGGCTTTTTTAAAAG ATAAGGTAGTTTTGGTAAGTGGAGCAGGTGGAACTATAGGCAGTGAACTT TGTAAGCAATGTATTAAATTTGGTGCTAAGCATCTTATCATGGTTGATCA TAGTGAGTATAATCTTTATAAGATCAATGATGATTTAAATTTATATAAAG AAAAAATTACTCCTATTTTACTGAGTATTTTAGATAAGCAAAGTTTAGAT GAGGTATTAAAAACTTATAAACCCGAGCTTATTTTACATGCAGCCGCTTA TAAACATGTGCCTCTTTGCGAACAAAATCCACATTCAGCAGTAATCAATA ATATTTTAGGAACTAAAATTTTATGCGACAGTGCTAAAGAAAACAAAGTA GCTAAATTTGTGATGATAAGTACAGATAAAGCAGTACGACCAACAAATAT TATGGGTTGCACTAAGAGAGTTTGCGAGCTTTATACTTTAAGTATGAGTG ATGAAAATTTTGAAGTTGCTTGTGTGCGTTTTGGTAATGTTTTAGGTTCT AGTGGTAGTGTGATACCGAAATTTAAAGCACAAATTGCCAATAATGAGCC TTTAACTTTAACGCACCCTGATATAGTGCGTTATTTTATGCTTGTGGCTG AGGCAGTGCAACTTGTTTTACAAGCTGGAGCTATCGCAAAAGGGGGAGAA CTTTTTGTTTTGGATATGGGTAAGCCTGTGAAAATCATAGATTTAGCTAA AAAAATGCTTTTACTTTCTAATCGCAATGATTTAGAAATTAAAATCACAG GCTTAAGAAAAGGTGAGAAGCTTTATGAAGAGCTTTTGATTGATGAAAAT GATGCTAAAACACAATATGAGAGTATTTTTGTAGCAAAGAATGAGAAGGT TGACCTTGATTGGCTTAATAAAGAGATAGAAAATTTACAAATATGTGAAG ATATTTCAGAGGCTTTATTAAAGATTGTACCTGAATTTAAACACAATAAA GAAGGTGTATAATGTATATAAAAGATATACAAAGATTTGAAGATAATCGC TATCGTGCTAGAGCTTATATGAGTTATATTTTAACAAGAAATCTGCCCAA TAAACTTCCTGACATTCACCTTGAAACGATTAAAACAGCTTTGGATAAAA TAGCTCATGAAGTTGTTGTTTTTGATGCTTTGTATATTTTAGATATTTCA GGCATGCAAATAGAAAATGCGATTTCCTTAAATAAAGCTCATGAAATAGG GCAGGGTGAGGATAGAAGTACTCGTTCTTATTTTTATAGAGCTGTAAAAT TAAGACGATGTGTTTTGAGCGATCCTTATCCTTCGGTTTTAAATAATGAG CTTTGCGTGACAGCTTCTATGCCAATTTACGATGATAAAAATAACTTGCT TTTTGTTGTTTGTATTGATATCAAGCTTGAAGATATTTTAAAGATTATTC AAGCAGGAAAATTTGAATTTGTTTTTACTCAGTTTAGTCGTTTGGTATAT TTTTGCTTCGCACTGGTTTTATTTGTGATTACTTGTTTTTTATTTCAAAA AGGTTTTTTTAGTCTTTTTGATAATCAAGCTATAGGTATAGAACATATGT TTGAAAGTACCATCGCTATAACTTTGGCTTTAGCTATTTTTGATTTGGCA AAAACTTTGATCGAACAAGAAGTATTAGGAAGGACGAAAAAAGAAGAAGG TGGAATTCAAAAAACTATGGTGAGATTTTTGGGTTCTATTATCATTGCTT TAGCTATAGAAGCTTTGATGTTGGTATTTAAACTTGCTATTGGTGATCTT TCTCAGATGATTTATGCGATTTATCTTATCGGTGGAGTGAGCTTGCTTCT TTTAGGTTTAAGTGTATATTTATTTACGGTTAAGTATAAAAATAATAATA TTTGAACTTAGT.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pgl operon (provided as SEQ ID NO: 42). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pgl operon, wherein the C. jejuni pgl operon comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises C. jejuni pgl operon, wherein C. jejuni pgl operon comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42.

wlaA—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a wlaA gene (e.g., a C. jejuni wlaA gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a wlaA gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a wlaA gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni wlaA gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 43) ATGGCAAAAAATGAAGGTTATATTTGTGTTTTTGATTGTGAGAGTGTGCC AGATGTTGAGCTTATCCGCAAAACTTTGGGTTTTGAAGGAAGTGATTTAG AGGTAAGTTTAAAAGCACTTCAGTGGCAAAAAGAACAAAGTGGGAGTGAG TTTTTGCCTTTGCCTTATCATAAAATTATCAGTATTTGTGCGGTTTTAAG TGATAATTTTGGAAAATTTATCAAAGTGAATAAAATTGATGGACAAAATG AAAAAGAAATGATTGAGAATTTTTTCAATTTTATAGAAAATTATGAGCCA AAATTAGTCAGTTTTAATGGTAAAAATTTCGATATGCCTGTTCTTGTTTT AAGGGCTTTAAAATACAATTTAAAAGCAGCAACTTATTTGGATACTCAAA GTGATAAATGGAATAATTATAAAACAAGATTTTCAGAATTAAAACATTGT GATTTATTAGAATCCTTAGGATCTAACGGGCGTGGAATAAAGCTTGATAC ACTTTGTTCTATGGTGGGTTTGCCAGGAAAATATGATGTGCATGGCGATG AGGTAATGAAACTTTTTTATGAAAATAAACTTGAAAAAATCCACGAATAT TGTGAAAGTGATGTTTTAAACACCTATATGCTTTTTTTAAAATATGAACT TATTAAAGCTAATGTTGATGAAGAAGATTATGTTGGTTTTCTTTCTTATA TGAGAGATTTCTTGTGTGCAAAAAAATCAGATCGTTCTTATACAGAAGTT TTTGCAAAAGCTTGTGAGAGTGAAATTTCAAAAGTTCGATCTTAA

The amino acid sequence of the WlaA protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 43 is provided below:

MAKNEGYICVFDCESVPDVELIRKTLGFEGSDLEVSLKALQWQKEQSGSE FLPLPYHKIISICAVLSDNFGKFIKVNKIDGQNEKEMIENFFNFIENYEP KLVSFNGKNFDMPVLVLRALKYNLKAATYLDTQSDKWNNYKTRFSELKHC DLLESLGSNGRGIKLDTLCSMVGLPGKYDVHGDEVMKLFYENKLEKIHEY CESDVLNTYMLFLKYELIKANVDEEDYVGFLSYMRDFLCAKKSDRSYTEV FAKACESEISKVRS

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni wlaA gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 43). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a wlaA gene, wherein the wlaA gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:43. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a wlaAgene, wherein the wlaA gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a WlaA protein, wherein said WlaA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a WlaA protein, wherein said WlaA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44.

wlaJ—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a wlaJ gene (e.g., a C. jejuni wlaA gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a wlaJ gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a wlaJ gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni wlaJ gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 45) ATGAAAAAGGTGTTTTTGTGGGAGTACCTGCAAAAAGGATGTAAATTGCA TTTTAATAACAATCTTGTTGTTCACTATATAGTAAATCCTTCGCCTTTGG GGTGGATTGTCATTAATTTACTAACCATATGTCTAATATGCTACATATTT CCTTTGAAAAATTCTTTAAAACACAAAAAACTTTTTAGTCTTAAAGCAAA TGTAAATTCTAAAAATAGTAGGATTATAAAATATACAGGTATTGCTGCTT TTTTGGGTGGATTAATAGGAATTTGGTATAATTTTGAAGGTTTTTATCAA CTTCTTTTTTTCTTTGAATTAGAAAATGAAAATTTAAAAACACTTTGGAG TTTGCAAGTATCAGTTTCTTCTGTGATAACAGGTATGTTATTATTGTTGA TATATGTTATAAATTTAGCAATGGTTTGTGAAAATGGAATTTATATAGTT AGTAAATTTAATCTTTTTTATATGTATTTTATAAAACGAGAAGATTTGGA AATTGTTAAAATAGAAAAAATGAAATTTTTAAATCAAGTTGAAGTTTGTT TTGTTATCAAAACAAAAAATAAAATACTCCTTAAATGCTTTGAAAGTATT TATAAAAAAGAAGACTTAGAAAAGCTTAAAAATTGGTATGAAAACAAGCT TTGA.

The amino acid sequence of the WlaJ protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 45 is provided below:

MKKVFLWEYLQKGCKLHFNNNLVVHYIVNPSPLGWIVINLLTICLICYIF PLKNSLKHKKLFSLKANVNSKNSRIIKYTGIAAFLGGLIGIWYNFEGFYQ LLFFFELENENLKTLWSLQVSVSSVITGMLLLLIYVINLAMVCENGIYIV SKFNLFYMYFIKREDLEIVKIEKMKFLNQVEVCFVIKTKNKILLKCFESI YKKEDLEKLKNWYENKL.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni wlaJ gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 45). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a wlaJ gene, wherein the wlaJ gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a wlaJ gene, wherein the wlaJ gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a WlaJ protein, wherein said WlaJ protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a WlaJ protein, wherein said WlaJ protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46.

gne—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a gne gene (e.g., a C. jejuni gne gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a gne gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a gne gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni gne gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 47) ATGATGATGAAAATTCTTATTAGCGGTGGTGCAGGTTATATAGGTTCTCA TACTTTAAGACAATTTTTAAAAACAGATCATGAAATTTGTGTTTTAGATA ATCTTTCTAAGGGTTCTAAAATCGCAATAGAAGATTTGCAAAAAACAAGA GCTTTTAAATTTTTCGAACAAGATTTAAGTGATTTTCAAGGCGTAAAAGC ATTGTTTGAGAGAGAAAAATTTGACGCTATTGTGCATTTTGCAGCAAGCA TTGAAGTTTTTGAAAGTATGCAAAATCCTTTAAAATATTATATGAACAAC ACTGTTAATACGACAAATCTCATCGAAACTTGTTTGCAAACTGGAGTGAA TAAATTTATATTTTCTTCAACGGCGGCCACTTATGGCGAACCACAAACTC CCGTTGTGAGCGAAACAAGTCCTTTAGCACCTATTAATCCTTATGGGCGT AGTAAGCTTATGAGTGAAGAAGTTTTGCGTGATGCAAGTATGGCAAATCC TGAATTTAAGCATTGTATTTTAAGATATTTTAATGTTGCAGGTGCTTGTA TGGATTATACTTTAGGACAACGCTATCCAAAAGCGACTTTGCTTATAAAA GTTGCAGCTGAATGTGCCGCAGGAAAACGTGATAAACTTTTCATATTTGG CGATGATTATGATACAAAAGATGGTACTTGCATAAGAGATTTTATCCATG TAGATGATATTTCAAGTGCACATTTAGCGGCTTTGGATTATTTAAAAGAG AATGAAAGCAATGTTTTTAATGTAGGTTATGGACATGGTTTTAGCGTAAA AGAAGTGATTGAAGCGATGAAAAAAGTTAGCGGAGTGGATTTTAAAGTAG AACTTGCCCCACGCCGTGCGGGTGATCCTAGTGTATTGATTTCTGATGCA AGTAAAATCAGAAATCTTACTTCTTGGCAGCCTAAATATGATGATTTAGA GCTTATTTGTAAATCTGCTTTTGATTGGGAAAAACAGTGTTAA

The amino acid sequence of the Gne protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 47 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 48) MMMKILISGGAGYIGSHTLRQFLKTDHEICVLDNLSKGSKIAIEDLQKTR AFKFFEQDLSDFQGVKALFEREKFDAIVHFAASIEVFESMQNPLKYYMNN TVNTTNLIETCLQTGVNKFIFSSTAATYGEPQTPVVSETSPLAPINPYGR SKLMSEEVLRDASMANPEFKHCILRYFNVAGACMDYTLGQRYPKATLLIK VAAECAAGKRDKLFIFGDDYDTKDGTCIRDFIHVDDISSAHLAALDYLKE NESNVFNVGYGHGFSVKEVIEAMKKVSGVDFKVELAPRRAGDPSVLISDA SKIRNLTSWQPKYDDLELICKSAFDWEKQC.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni gne gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 47). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a gne gene, wherein the gne gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a gne gene, wherein the gne gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Gne protein, wherein said Gne protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 48. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Gne protein, wherein said Gne protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 48.

pglK—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pglK gene (e.g., a C. jejuni pglK gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglK gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglK gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pglK gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 49) ATGCCTTTTATCACTTTGGCTAGTGATTTTTCTTATTTTGATCGTAATAA ATATTTAATCMAGCCTAAAAGAATATCTTAATATCCCTGTTTTTGAAATC ATTGTTTATTTTGGAGTGGGGCTTATTGTTTTTTATGTGTTTAGAGCTTT GTTAAATGCGTATTATTTTCATCTTTTGGCALAGATTTTCTAAAGGGCGT TATCATGCGATCGCTTATAAGGTTTTTTCTAAATTTTTAAATATTAATTA TGAAAAATTTACTCAAAAAAATCAATCTGAAATTTTAAAGTCCATTACAG GGIGAAGTTTATAATCTAAGCACTATGATTTCATCATTTTTACTTTTGAT GAGTGAAATTTTTGTAGTACTTTTGCTTTATGCTTTAATGCTTTTGATTA ATTATAAAATCACTTTGTTTTTAVAGTATTTTTATGGTGTTAAATGCCTT TATTTTAGTGAAAATTTTAAGCCCTATCATTAAAAAAGCAGGAGTAAGAC GCGAAGAAGCGATGAAAAATTTCTTTGAAATTTTAAATACAAATKTTAAA TAATTTCAAATTTATTAAGCTTAAAACCAAAGAAGATGGAGTATTAAGTC TTTTTAAAGCGCAAAGTGAAGCTTTTTCTAAAGCAAATATTACCAACGAA AGCGTAGCTGCGGTGKCCTAGAATTTATCTTGAAGGAATAGGCTTTTGCG TACTTGTTTTTATCGTGGTATTTTTGGTTTTGAAAAATGAAAGTGATATT TCAGGTATTTTATCCACGATTTCTATTTTTGTTTTAVGCGCTTTATCGCT TAATGCCAAGTGCAAATCGTATTATTACAAGTTATCATGATTTGCTTTAT TATCATTCTTCTTTGGATATTATTTATCAAAATTTAAGACAAGAAGAAGA AAATTTGYGGCGAGGAAAAATTAAGCTTTAATCAAGAGCTTAAAATTTGC AATCTTAGCTTTGGTTATGAGGGAAAAAAATATTTATTTAAAAATCTTAA CTTAAATATTAAAAAAGGCGAAAAAATCEGCTTTTATAGGGGAGAGTGGT TGTGGAAAAAGTACCTTAGTAGATCTTATCATAGGACTTTTAAAACCAAA AGAAGGGCAAATTTTAATTGATGAGCAAGAATTAAATGCAAATAATACAL AAAAATTATCGCCAAAAAATAGGCTATATCCCGCAAAATATCTATCTTTT TAATGACAGTATAGCTAAAAATATCACTTTTGGAGATGCGGTTGATGAAG AAAAACTTAATAGGGTTATCIAAACAAGCAAATTTAGAGCATTTTATAAA AAATTTACCTCAAGGAGTGCAAACAAAAGTGGGCGATGGGGGGAGTAATT TAAGCGGGGGACAAAAACAACGCATAGCTATAGCAAGAGCTGTTATATTT AGAGCCTGAAATGTTAGTGCTTGATGAAGCAACTTCTGCGCTTGATACTC AAAGTGAAGCAAAAATTATGGATGAAATTTATAAAATTTCTAAAGATAAA ACCATGATTATTSATCGCACATCGCCTTTCTACGATAACACAATGTGATA AGGTTTATCGTTTAGAACACGGTAAGCTTAAAGAGGAGAAATGA

The amino acid sequence of the PglK protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 49 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 50) MPFITLASDFSYFDRNKYLISLKEYLNIPVFEIIVYFGVGLIVFYVFRAL LNAYYFHLLARFSKGRYHAIAYKVFSKFLNINYEKFTQKNQSEILKSITG EVYNLSTMISSFLLLMSEIFVVLLLYALMLLINYKITLFLSIFMVLNAFI LVKILSPIIKKAGVRREEAMKNFFEILNTNLNNFKFIKLKTKEDGVLSLF KAQSEAFSKANITNESVAAVPRIYLEGIGFCVLVFIVVFLVLKNESDISG ILSTISIFVLALYRLMPSANRIITSYHDLLYYHSSLDIIYQNLRQEEENL GEEKLSFNQELKICNLSFGYEGKKYLFKNLNLNIKKGEKIAFIGESGCGK STLVDLIIGLLKPKEGQILIDEQELNANNTKNYRQKIGYIPQNIYLFNDS IAKNITFGDAVDEEKLNRVIKQANLEHFIKNLPQGVQTKVGDGGSNLSGG QKQRIAIARALYLEPEMLVLDEATSALDTQSEAKIMDEIYKISKDKTMII IAHRLSTITQCDKVYRLEHGKLKEEK.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pglK gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 49). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglK gene, wherein the pglK gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglK gene, wherein the pglK gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglK protein, wherein said PglK protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglK protein, wherein said PglK protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50.

pglH—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pglH gene (e.g., a C. jejuni pglH gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglH gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglH gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pglH gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 51) AAAATAAGCTTTATTATCGCAACTTTAAATTCAGGAGGTGCTGAGCGTGC TTTAGTAACCTTAGCTAATGCACTTTGCAAAGAGCATGAAGTAAGTATTA TTAAATTTCATGCAGGAGAATCTTTTTATAAGCTTGAAAATGAAGTTAAA GTTACAAGTTTGGAACAATTTAGATTTGACACGCTTTATCATAAAATCGC AAGTCGTTTTAAGAAATTTTTTGCTTTAAGAAAGGCTTTGAAAGAAAGTA AGTCTGATGTTTTTATTTCTTTTTTGGATACGACTAATATTGCTTGTATT GCTGCGAAAATAGGGCTTAAAACTCCACTCATTATAAGTGAGCATAGCAA TGAAGCGTATTTAAAACCTAAAATTTGGCGTTTTTTAAGAAGGGTAAGCT ATCCTTTTTGTGATGCTTTAAGTGTGCTTGGAAGCAGTGATAAGGTGTAT TATGAAAGATTTGTAAAAAGGGTTAAGCTTTTATTAAACCCTTGTCATTT TAGCGATGAAATTTCTTTTGATTCTAGTTTTGAAAAGGAAAATTTGGTTC TTTTTATAGGGCGTTTAGATCACAACAAAAACCCTGTAATGTTTTTAAAA GCTATAGCGCATTTGGATAAAAATTTACAAGAAAATTATAAATTTGTTAT AGCAGGAGATGGACAGTTAAGACAAGAACTTGAATATAAGGTAAAATCTT TAGGAATAAAAGTTGATTTTTTAGGACGCGTTGAAAATGTCAAGGCTCTT TATGAAAAAGCAAAAGTGCTTTGCCTTTGTTCTTTTGTAGAGGGTTTGCC AACGGTTTTAATTGAAAGTTTGTATTTTGAGGTTTGTAGAATTTCAAGTT CTTATTATAATGGTGCTAAGGATTTAATCAAAGATAATCATGATGGGCTT TTGGTAGGTTGTGATGATGAAATAGCACTTGCTAAAAAACTTGAACTTGT TTTAAATGATGAAAATTTTAGAAAAGAACTTGTAAATAATGCCAAACAAA GGTGTAAAGACTTTGAAATTTCTCATATCAAAGAAGAATGGCTTAAGCTT ATAGCCGAGGTT

The amino acid sequence of the PglH protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 51 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 52) KISFIIATLNSGGAERALVTLANALCKEHEVSIIKFHAGESFYKLENEVK VTSLEQFRFDTLYHKIASRFKKFFALRKALKESKSDVFISFLDTTNIACI AAKIGLKTPLIISEHSNEAYLKPKIWRFLRRVSYPFCDALSVLGSSDKVY YERFVKRVKLLLNPCHFSDEISFDSSFEKENLVLFIGRLDHNKNPVMFLK AIAHLDKNLQENYKFVIAGDGQLRQELEYKVKSLGIKVDFLGRVENVKAL YEKAKVLCLCSFVEGLPTVLIESLYFEVCRISSSYYNGAKDLIKDNHDGL LVGCDDEIALAKKLELVLNDENFRKELVNNAKQRCKDFEISHIKEEWLKL IAEV

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pglH gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 51). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglH gene, wherein the pglH gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglH gene, wherein the pglH gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglH protein, wherein said PglH protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglH protein, wherein said PglH protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52.

pglI—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pglI gene (e.g., a C. jejuni pglI gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglI gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglI gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pglI gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 53) ATGCCTAAACTTTCTGTTATAGTACCAACTTTTAATCGTCAAGTTTTGTT AGAAAAGGCTATTAAAAGCATACAAAATCAAGATTTTAAAGATTTAGAAA TTATTGTAAGCGATGATAATTCTAGCGATGATACTAAAAGTGTGGTGCAA AATTTACAAAAAGATGATGATCGCATTAAGTATTTTTTAAATCAAAATTA CAAACAAGGTCCAAATGGCAATAAAAACAATGGCTTAGATCAAGCAAGTG GCGAGTTTGTAACTTTTTTAGATGATGATGATGAGCTTTTATCCGGGGCT TTAAGTACCTTGATGCAAAAAGCAAATGAGGGTTATGCTCATGTTTTTGG AAATTGTTTGATAGAAAAAGAAGGAAATTTAAGCAAGGAATTTAGCGGCA AGGGCTTGGAAAAAGATAGTGAAATTTCTAAAAAAGATTTTTTAATGGCT AAATTTAGCGGAGAGTTTTTTTCTGTTTTTAAAAAATCCCTACTTGAAAA TAAGCGTTTTAATGAAGAATTTTATGGCAATGAAGCCACGCTTTGGGTAA ATTTATACAAAGAAAAAAGTTTTTATATCCATAAGGCTTTTAGGATTTAT AGAATTTTTAGGCAAGATAGCGTGACTTTAGGGGCGAGTAAAAATGCTTA TAGGGTGTATTTGGATATTTAGAGCTTGCTAAAATTTTAGAAAATGAACT TAGAATGAGTAAGGATAAAGATTATAAAAAAACTTGTGCGAGTTATTATA AAATGGCAGCTTATTATGCAAAACTTGCAAAAAATTATAAAGCCCTTTAT AAATGTTTGTTTAAAAGCCTAAGTATAAAAATCAACGCTCCTGCTTTGAT ATTACTCATTTTAAGTATAATTCCAAATAATATGATTGAAAAATTATCAA AAATTCGGGTG

The amino acid sequence of the PglI protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 53 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 54) MPKLSVIVPTFNRQVLLEKAIKSIQNQDFKDLEIIVSDDNSSDDTKSVVQ NLQKDDDRIKYFLNQNYKQGPNGNKNNGLDQASGEFVTFLDDDDELLSGA LSTLMQKANEGYAHVFGNCLIEKEGNLSKEFSGKGLEKDSEISKKDFLMA KFSGEFFSVFKKSLLENKRFNEEFYGNEATLWVNLYKEKSFYIHKAFRIY RIFRQDSVTLGASKNAYRVYLGYLELAKILENELRMSKDKDYKKTCASYY KMAAYYAKLAKNYKALYKCLFKSLSIKINAPALILLILSIIPNNMIEKLS KIRV

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pglI gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 53). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglI gene, wherein the pglI gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglI gene, wherein the pglI gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglI protein, wherein said PglI protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglI protein, wherein said PglI protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54.

pglJ—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pglJ gene (e.g., a C. jejuni pglJ gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglJ gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglJ gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pglJ gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 55) TTAGGCATTTTTATTTATTCTTTAGGAAGTGGTGGTGCTGAAAGAGTTGT GGCGACTTTATTGCCTATTTTAAGTTTGAAATTTGAAGTGCATTTGATCT TGATGAATGATAAAATTTCTTATGAAATTCCAGAGTGTCAAATTCATTTT TTAGAATGTTCAAAACCTAGTGAAAATCCTATTTTGAAATTTTTAAAACT ACCTTTTTTGGCTTTAAAATACAAAAAACTTTGCAGAAATTTAGGTATTG ATACAGAATTTGTTTTTTTAAATCGACCTAATTATATAGCTTTAATGGCA AGAATGTTTGGAAACAAAACTCGCCTTGTGATCAATGAATGCACTACGCC AAGTGTGATGTATATGAAAAATAATTTTAATTCTTTGGTAAATAAATTTT TAATTTCTTTGCTTTACCCAAAAGCTGATTTAATCTTGCCTAATTCTAAG GGAAATTTAGAAGATTTAGTGCAAAATTTTAGTATAAGTCCAAAAAAATG TGAAATTTTATACAATGCCATCGATTTAGAAAACATAGGGCAAAAAGCCC TTGAAGACATAGCTTTAAAAGATAAATTTATTTTAAGTGTAGGCAGGCTT GATAAAGGTAAAAATCATGCTTTATTAATTCGTGCTTATGCGAGATTGAA AACAGATTTAAAGCTTGTGATTTTAGGTGAAGGTGTGCTTAAGGATGAGC TTTTAGCTTTGATTAAAGAATTAAATTTGGAAGAAAAGGTTTTGCTTTTA GGATTTGATAATAATCCTTATAAATACATGGCTAAATGCGAATTTTTTGC TTTTGCTTCTGTGTTTGAAGGTTTTTCAAATGTTTTAATCGAAAGTTTGG CTTGTTCTTGTGCGGTGGTTTGCACTGATCATAAAAGTGGTGCAAGAGAG CTTTTTGGCGATGATGAATTTGGACTTTTAGTAGAAGTAGATAATGAAAA CTCTATGTTTCAGGGTTTAAAAACTATGCTTGAAGACGATAAATTAAGAA AAGCGTATAAAAACAAAGCTAAAACTAGGGCTAAAGCCTTTGATAAAGTA AAAATTGCACGCGATGCTTTGAAATATTTATTAGGATAA

The amino acid sequence of the PglJ protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 55 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 56) LGIFIYSLGSGGAERVVATLLPILSLKFEVHLILMNDKISYEIPECQIHF LECSKPSENPILKFLKLPFLALKYKKLCRNLGIDTEFVFLNRPNYIALMA RMFGNKTRLVINECTTPSVMYMKNNFNSLVNKFLISLLYPKADLILPNSK GNLEDLVQNFSISPKKCEILYNAIDLENIGQKALEDIALKDKFILSVGRL DKGKNHALLIRAYARLKTDLKLVILGEGVLKDELLALIKELNLEEKVLLL GFDNNPYKYMAKCEFFAFASVFEGFSNVLIESLACSCAVVCTDHKSGARE LFGDDEFGLLVEVDNENSMFQGLKTMLEDDKLRKAYKNKAKTRAKAFDKV KIARDALKYLLG

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pglJ gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 55). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglJ gene, wherein the pglJ gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglJ gene, wherein the pglJ gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglJ protein, wherein said PglJ protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglJ protein, wherein said PglJ protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56.

pglB—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pglB gene (e.g., a C. jejuni pglB gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglB gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglB gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pglB gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 57) ATGTTGAAAAAAGAGTATTTAAAAAACCCTTATTTAGTTTTGTTTGCGAT GATTGTATTAGCTTATGTTTTTAGTGTATTTTGCAGGTTTTATTGGGTTT GGTGGGCAAGTGAGTTTAACGAGTATTTTTTCAATAATCAATTAATGATC ATTTCAAACGATGGCTATGCTTTTGCTGAGGGCGCAAGAGATATGATAGC AGGTTTTCATCAGCCTAATGATTTGAGTTATTATGGATCTTCTTTATCTA CGCTTACTTATTGGCTTTATAAAATCACACCTTTTTCTTTTGAAAGTATC ATTTTATATATGAGTACTTTTTTATCTTCTTTGGTGGTGATTCCTATTAT TTTACTAGCTAATGAATACAAACGCCCTTTAATGGGCTTTGTAGCTGCTC TTTTAGCAAGTGTAGCAAACAGTTATTATAATCGCACTATGAGTGGGTAT TATGATACGGATATGCTGGTAATTGTTTTACCTATGTTTATTTTATTTTT TATGGTAAGAATGATTTTAAAAAAAGACTTTTTTTCATTGATTGCCTTGC CATTATTTATAGGAATTTATCTTTGGTGGTATCCTTCAAGTTATACTTTA AATGTAGCTTTAATTGGACTTTTTTTAATTTATACACTTATTTTTCATAG AAAAGAAAAGATTTTTTATATAGCTGTGATTTTGTCTTCTCTTACTCTTT CAAATATAGCATGGTTTTATCAAAGTGCCATTATAGTAATACTTTTTGCT TTATTTGCTTTAGAGCAAAAACGCTTAAATTTTATGATTATAGGAATTTT AGGTAGTGCAACTTTGATATTTTTGATTTTAAGTGGTGGGGTTGATCCCA TACTTTATCAGCTTAAATTTTATATTTTTAGAAGCGATGAAAGTGCGAAT TTAACACAGGGCTTTATGTATTTTAATGTTAATCAAACCATACAAGAAGT TGAAAATGTAGATTTTAGCGAATTTATGCGAAGAATTAGTGGTAGTGAAA TTGTTTTCTTGTTTTCTTTGTTTGGTTTTGTATGGCTTTTGAGAAAACAT AAAAGTATGATTATGGCTTTACCTATATTGGTGCTTGGGTTTTTAGCCTT AAAAGGAGGACTTAGATTTACCATTTATTCTGTACCTGTAATGGCTTTAG GATTTGGTTTTTTATTGAGCGAGTTTAAGGCTATATTGGTTAAAAAATAT AGCCAATTAACTTCAAATGTTTGTATTGTTTTTGCAACTATTTTGACTTT GGCTCCAGTATTTATCCATATTTACAACTATAAAGCGCCAACAGTTTTTT CTCAAAATGAAGCATCATTATTAAATCAATTAAAAAATATAGCCAATAGA GAAGATTATGTGGTAACTTGGTGGGATTATGGTTATCCTGTGCGTTATTA TAGCGATGTGAAAACTTTAGTAGATGGTGGAAAGCATTTAGGTAAGGATA ATTTTTTCCCTTCTTTTTCTTTAAGTAAAGATGAACAAGCTGCAGCTAAT ATGGCAAGACTTAGTGTAGAATATACAGAAAAAAGCTTTTATGCTCCGCA AAATGATATTTTAAAATCAGACATTTTACAAGCCATGATGAAAGATTATA ATCAAAGCAATGTGGATTTATTTCTAGCTTCATTATCAAAACCTGATTTT AAAATCGATACACCAAAAACTCGTGATATTTATCTTTATATGCCCGCTAG AATGTCTTTGATTTTTTCTACGGTGGCTAGTTTTTCTTTTATTAATTTAG ATACAGGAGTTTTGGATAAACCTTTTACCTTTAGCACAGCTTATCCACTT GATGTTAAAAATGGAGAAATTTATCTTAGCAACGGAGTGGTTTTAAGCGA TGATTTTAGAAGTTTTAAAATAGGTGATAATGTGGTTTCTGTAAATAGTA TCGTAGAGATTAATTCTATTAAACAAGGTGAATACAAAATCACTCCAATC GATGATAAGGCTCAGTTTTATATTTTTTATTTAAAGGATAGTGCTATTCC TTACGCACAATTTATTTTAATGGATAAAACCATGTTTAATAGTGCTTATG TGCAAATGTTTTTTTTGGGAAATTATGATAAGAATTTATTTGACTTGGTG ATTAATTCTAGAGATGCTAAAGTTTTTAAACTTAAAATTTAA

The amino acid sequence of the PglB protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 57 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 58) MLKKEYLKNPYLVLFAMIVLAYVFSVFCRFYWVWWASEFNEYFFNNQLMI ISNDGYAFAEGARDMIAGFHQPNDLSYYGSSLSTLTYWLYKITPFSFESI ILYMSTFLSSLVVIPIILLANEYKRPLMGFVAALLASVANSYYNRTMSGY YDTDMLVIVLPMFILFFMVRMILKKDFFSLIALPLFIGIYLWWYPSSYTL NVALIGLFLIYTLIFHRKEKIFYIAVILSSLTLSNIAWFYQSAIIVILFA LFALEQKRLNFMIIGILGSATLIFLILSGGVDPILYQLKFYIFRSDESAN LTQGFMYFNVNQTIQEVENVDFSEFMRRISGSEIVFLFSLFGFVWLLRKH KSMIMALPILVLGFLALKGGLRFTIYSVPVMALGFGFLLSEFKAILVKKY SQLTSNVCIVFATILTLAPVFIHIYNYKAPTVFSQNEASLLNQLKNIANR EDYVVTWWDYGYPVRYYSDVKTLVDGGKHLGKDNFFPSFSLSKDEQAANM ARLSVEYTEKSFYAPQNDILKSDILQAMMKDYNQSNVDLFLASLSKPDFK IDTPKTRDIYLYMPARMSLIFSTVASFSFINLDTGVLDKPFTFSTAYPLD VKNGEIYLSNGVVLSDDFRSFKIGDNVVSVNSIVEINSIKQGEYKITPID DKAQFYIFYLKDSAIPYAQFILMDKTMFNSAYVQMFFLGNYDKNLFDLVI NSRDAKVFKLKI

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pglB gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 57). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglB gene, wherein the pglB gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 57. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglB gene, wherein the pglB gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 57.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglB protein, wherein said PglB protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglB protein, wherein said PglB protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58.

pglA—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pglA gene (e.g., a C. jejuni pglA gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglA gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglA gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pglA gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 59) ATGAGAATAGGATTTTTATCACATGCAGGAGCGAGTATTTATCATTTTAG AATGCCTATTATAAAAGCGTTAAAAGATAGAAAAGACGAAGTTTTTGTTA TAGTGCCGCAAGATGAATACACGCAAAAACTTAGAGATCTTGGCTTAAAA GTAATTGTTTATGAGTTTTCAAGAGCTAGTTTAAATCCTTTTGTGGTTTT AAAGAATTTTTTTTATCTTGCTAAGGTTTTGAAAAATTTAAATCTTGATT TTATTCAAAGTGCGGCACACAAAAGCAATACTTTTGGAATTTTAGCAGCA AAATGGGCAAAAATTCCTTATCGTTTTGCCTTAGTAGAAGGCTTGGGATC TTTTTATATAGATCAAGGTTTTAAGGCAAATTTAGTGCGTTTTGTTATTA ATAGTCTTTATAAATTAAGTTTTAAATTTGCACACCAATTTATTTTTGTC AATGAAAGTAATGCTGAGTTTATGCGGAATTTAGGACTTAAAGAAAATAA AATTTGCGTGATAAAATCTGTAGGGATCAATTTAAAAAAATTTTTTCCTA TTTATGTAGAATCGGAAAAAAAAGAGCTTTTTTGGAAAAATTTAAACATA GATAAAAAACCCATTGTGCTTATGATAGCAAGAGCTTTATGGCATAAGGG TGTAAAAGAATTTTATGAAAGTGCTACTATGCTAAAAGACAAAGCAAATT TTGTTTTAGTTGGTGGAAGAGATGAAAATCCTTCTTGTGCAAGTTTGGAG TTTTTAAACTCTGGCGCGGTGCATTATTTGGGTGCTAGAAGTGATATAGT CGAGCTTTTGCAAAATTGTGATATTTTTGTTTTGCCAAGCTATAAAGAAG GCTTTCCTGTAAGTGTTTTGGAGGCAAAAGCTTGCGGTAAGGCTATAGTG GTGAGTGATTGTGAAGGTTGTGTGGAGGCTATTTCTAATGCTTATGATGG ACTTTGGGCAAAAACAAAAAATGCTAAAGATTTAAGCGAAAAAATTTCAC TTTTATTAGAAGATGAAAAATTAAGATTAAATTTAGCTAAAAATGCCGCC CAAGATGCTTTACAATACGATGAAAATATAATCGCACAGCGTTATTTAAA ACTTTATGATAGGGTAATTAAGAATGTA

The amino acid sequence of the PglA protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 59 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 60) MRIGFLSHAGASIYHFRMPIIKALKDRKDEVFVIVPQDEYTQKLRDLGLK VIVYEFSRASLNPFVVLKNFFYLAKVLKNLNLDFIQSAAHKSNTFGILAA KWAKIPYRFALVEGLGSFYIDQGFKANLVRFVINSLYKLSFKFAHQFIFV NESNAEFMRNLGLKENKICVIKSVGINLKKFFPIYVESEKKELFWKNLNI DKKPIVLMIARALWHKGVKEFYESATMLKDKANFVLVGGRDENPSCASLE FLNSGAVHYLGARSDIVELLQNCDIFVLPSYKEGFPVSVLEAKACGKAIV VSDCEGCVEAISNAYDGLWAKTKNAKDLSEKISLLLEDEKLRLNLAKNAA QDALQYDENIIAQRYLKLYDRVIKNV

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pglA gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 59). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglA gene, wherein the pglA gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 59. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglA gene, wherein the pglA gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 59.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglA protein, wherein said PglA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglA protein, wherein said PglA protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60.

pglC—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pglC gene (e.g., a C. jejuni pglC gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglC gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglC gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pglC gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 61) GAAAAAGTTTTTAAAAGAATTTTTGATTTTATTTTATCTTTAGTGCTTTT AGTGCTTTTTTCTCCGGTGATTTTAATCACTGCTTTACTTTTAAAAATCA CTCAAGGAAGTGTGATTTTTACCCAAAATCGTCCCGGGTTAGATGAAAAA ATTTTTAAAATTTATAAATTTAAAACCATGAGCGATGAAAGAGATGAAAA GGGTGAGTTATTAAGCGATGAATTGCGTTTGAAAGCTTTTGGAAAAATCG TTAGAAGCTTAAGTTTGGATGAGCTTTTGCAACTTTTTAATGTTTTAAAA GGGGATATGAGTTTTGTTGGACCTAGACCTCTTTTGGTTGAGTATTTGCC TCTTTACAATAAAGAGCAAAAATTGCGTCATAAAGTGCGTCCAGGTATAA CAGGATGGGCGCAGGTAAATGGTAGAAATGCTATTTCTTGGCAGAAAAAA TTCGAACTTGATGTGTATTATGTGAAAAATATTTCTTTTTTGCTTGATTT AAAAATCATGTTTTTAACAGCTTTAAAGGTTTTAAAACGAAGTGGGGTAA GCAAAGAAGGCCATGTTACAACAGAGAAATTTAATGGCAAGAACTGA

The amino acid sequence of the PglC protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 61 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 62) EKVFKRIFDFILSLVLLVLFSPVILITALLLKITQGSVIFTQNRPGLDEK IFKIYKFKTMSDERDEKGELLSDELRLKAFGKIVRSLSLDELLQLFNVLK GDMSFVGPRPLLVEYLPLYNKEQKLRHKVRPGITGWAQVNGRNAISWQKK FELDVYYVKNISFLLDLKIMFLTALKVLKRSGVSKEGHVTTEKFNGKN

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pglC gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 61). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglC gene, wherein the pglC gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:61. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglC gene, wherein the pglC gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglC protein, wherein said PglC protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglC protein, wherein said PglC protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62.

pglD—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pglD gene (e.g., a C. jejuni pglD gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglD gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglD gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pglD gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 63) ATGGCAAGAACTGAAAAAATTTATATTTATGGTGCTAGTGGTCATGGGCT TGTTTGTGAAGATGTGGCTAAAAATATGGGTTATAAAGAATGTATTTTTT TAGATGATTTTAAAGGAATGAAATTTGAAAGTACCTTACCTAAATATGAT TTTTTTATAGCCATAGGAAACAATGAAATTCGAAAAAAGATTTATCAAAA AATTTCAGAAAATGGCTTTAAAATTGTCAATCTTATCCATAAAAGCGCGC TTATAAGTCCTAGCGCAATCGTGGAAGAAAATGCAGGAATTTTAATCATG CCTTATGTAGTGATTAACGCTAAAGCTAAAATAGAAAAAGGTGTGATTTT AAATACTTCAAGCGTAATTGAGCATGAATGTGTGATAGGGGAATTTTCTC ATGTGAGTGTGGGAGCTAAATGTGCGGGTAATGTAAAAATTGGTAAAAAT TGTTTTTTAGGGATTAATTCTTGTGTTTTGCCTAATTTAAGTTTGGCAGA TGATAGTATTTTAGGTGGTGGAGCAACTTTAGTTAAAAATCAAGATGAAA AAGGTGTTTTTGTGGGAGTACCTGCAAAAAGGATGTAA

The amino acid sequence of the PglD protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 63 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 64) MARTEKIYIYGASGHGLVCEDVAKNMGYKECIFLDDFKGMKFESTLPKYD FFIAIGNNEIRKKIYQKISENGFKIVNLIHKSALISPSAIVEENAGILIM PYVVINAKAKIEKGVILNTSSVIEHECVIGEFSHVSVGAKCAGNVKIGKN CFLGINSCVLPNLSLADDSILGGGATLVKNQDEKGVFVGVPAKRM

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pglD gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 63). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglD gene, wherein the pglD gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglD gene, wherein the pglD gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglD protein, wherein said PglD protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglD protein, wherein said PglD protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64.

pglE—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pglE gene (e.g., a C. jejuni pglE gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglE gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglE gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pglE gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 65) ATGAGATTTTTTCTTTCTCCTCCGCATATGGGTGGTAATGAATTAAAATA CATAGAAGAAGTTTTCAAAAGCAATTATATAGCACCTTTGGGTGAATTTG TAAATCGCTTTGAACAAAGTGTCAAGGCTTACAGTAAAAGTGAAAATGCC TTAGCTTTAAATTCAGCCACAGCGGCTTTGCATTTAGCTTTAAGGGTGGC AGGGGTAAAACAAGATGATATTGTTTTGGCTTCTTCTTTTACTTTTATCG CTTCAGTAGCACCTATTTGTTATCTTAAAGCAAAACCTGTATTTATAGAT TGTGATGAAACTTATAATATCGATGTAGATTTATTAAAGCTTGCTATTAA AGAATGTGAAAAAAAACCAAAAGCATTGATTTTAACTCATCTTTATGGCA ATGCGGCTAAAATGGATGAAATTGTTGAAATTTGCAAAGAAAATGAAATT GTTTTAATCGAAGATGCTGCTGAAGCTTTAGGAAGTTTTTATAAGAATAA AGCTTTAGGAACTTTTGGAGAATTTGGAGCTTATTCTTATAATGGCAATA AAATTATCACCACTTCAGGTGGAGGTATGCTTATAGGAAAAAATAAAGAA AAGATTGAAAAAGCAAGATTTTATAGCACTCAAGCTAGGGAAAATTGTTT GCATTATGAACATTTAGATTATGGTTATAATTACCGCTTAAGCAATGTTT TAGGAGCTATTGGCGTAGCGCAAATGGAGGTTTTAGAACAAAGAGTGCTT AAAAAAAGAGAAATTTATGAGTGGTATAAAGAATTTTTAGGAGAGTGTTT TAGCTTTTTAGATGAATTAGAAAATTCAAGAAGCAATCGCTGGTTAAGTA CAGCTTTGATTGATTTTGATAAAAATGAACTTAATTCTTGTCAAAAAGAT ATAAATATCAGTCAAAAAAATATTACTTTGCATCCAAAAATTTCAAAACT CATAGAAGATTTGAAAAATGAACAAATAGAAACAAGACCATTATGGAAAG CTATGCACGCTCAAGAAGTATTTAAAGGAGCTAAGGCTTATCTTAATGGC AATAGTGAGTTATTTTTCCAAAAAGGAATTTGTTTGCCAAGTGGCACGGC GATGAGTAAAGATGATGTTTATGAAATTTCAAAACTGATCTTAAAGAGCA TAAAGGCTTAA

The amino acid sequence of the PglE protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 65 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 66) MRFFLSPPHMGGNELKYIEEVFKSNYIAPLGEFVNRFEQSVKAYSKSENA LALNSATAALHLALRVAGVKQDDIVLASSFTFIASVAPICYLKAKPVFID CDETYNIDVDLLKLAIKECEKKPKALILTHLYGNAAKMDEIVEICKENEI VLIEDAAEALGSFYKNKALGTFGEFGAYSYNGNKIITTSGGGMLIGKNKE KIEKARFYSTQARENCLHYEHLDYGYNYRLSNVLGAIGVAQMEVLEQRVL KKREIYEWYKEFLGECFSFLDELENSRSNRWLSTALIDFDKNELNSCQKD INISQKNITLHPKISKLIEDLKNEQIETRPLWKAMHAQEVFKGAKAYLNG NSELFFQKGICLPSGTAMSKDDVYEISKLILKSIKA

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pglE gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 65). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglE gene, wherein the pglE gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglE gene, wherein the pglE gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglE protein, wherein said PglE protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglE protein, wherein said PglE protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66.

pglF—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pglF gene (e.g., a C. jejuni pglF gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglF gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglF gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pglF gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 67) ATGATTTTTTATAAAAGCAAAAGATTAGCATTTTTTTTAACTTCAGATAT TGTTTTAATTTTACTTAGCGTTTATCTGGCTTTTTCTTTGAGATTTAGTG GAGATATTCCGAGTATTTTTTATCATGGTATGATGGTTTCTGCTATTATT TTGCTTGTTTTAAAACTTTCATTTTTGTTTGTTTTTAGAATTTATAAAGT AGCTTGGAGATTTTTTTCTCTCAATGAAGCAAGAAAGATTTTTATCGCTT TGCTTTTAGCTGAGTTTTGTTTTTTTCTTATTTTTTATTTTTTTAGTGAT TTTTTTAATCCTTTTCCAAGAAGTGCTATTGTGATAGATTTTGTTCTTTC TTATATGTTTATAGGTACTTTAAGAATTAGCAAAAGAATGCTTGTGGATT TTAAACCTTCTAGAATGAAAGAAGAAGAAACTCCTTGTATTGTAGTAGGG GCAACTTCTAAGGCTTTGCATTTGTTAAAAGGTGCAAAAGAAGGTTCTTT AGGGCTTTTTCCTGTAGGCGTAGTTGATGCGAGAAAAGAGCTTATAGGGA CTTATTGTGATAAATTTATTGTAGAAGAAAAAGAAAAAATAAAATCTTAT GTAGAACAAGGGGTAAAAACTGCCATTATTGCTTTAAGACTTGAACAAGA AGAGCTTAAAAAACTTTTTGAAGAACTTGTAGCTTATGGTATTTGCGATG TAAAAATATTTTCTTTTACAAGAAACGAAGCAAGAGATATCAGTATAGAA GACTTGCTTGCTAGAAAACCAAAAGATTTAGATGATAGTGCTGTGGCGGC TTTTTTAAAAGATAAGGTAGTTTTGGTAAGTGGAGCAGGTGGAACTATAG GCAGTGAACTTTGTAAGCAATGTATTAAATTTGGTGCTAAGCATCTTATC ATGGTTGATCATAGTGAGTATAATCTTTATAAGATCAATGATGATTTAAA TTTATATAAAGAAAAAATTACTCCTATTTTACTGAGTATTTTAGATAAGC AAAGTTTAGATGAGGTATTAAAAACTTATAAACCCGAGCTTATTTTACAT GCAGCCGCTTATAAACATGTGCCTCTTTGCGAACAAAATCCACATTCAGC AGTAATCAATAATATTTTAGGAACTAAAATTTTATGCGACAGTGCTAAAG AAAACAAAGTAGCTAAATTTGTGATGATAAGTACAGATAAAGCAGTACGA CCAACAAATATTATGGGTTGCACTAAGAGAGTTTGCGAGCTTTATACTTT AAGTATGAGTGATGAAAATTTTGAAGTTGCTTGTGTGCGTTTTGGTAATG TTTTAGGTTCTAGTGGTAGTGTGATACCGAAATTTAAAGCACAAATTGCC AATAATGAGCCTTTAACTTTAACGCACCCTGATATAGTGCGTTATTTTAT GCTTGTGGCTGAGGCAGTGCAACTTGTTTTACAAGCTGGAGCTATCGCAA AAGGGGGAGAACTTTTTGTTTTGGATATGGGTAAGCCTGTGAAAATCATA GATTTAGCTAAAAAAATGCTTTTACTTTCTAATCGCAATGATTTAGAAAT TAAAATCACAGGCTTAAGAAAAGGTGAGAAGCTTTATGAAGAGCTTTTGA TTGATGAAAATGATGCTAAAACACAATATGAGAGTATTTTTGTAGCAAAG AATGAGAAGGTTGATCTTGATTGGCTTAATAAAGAGATAGAAAATTTACA AATATGTGAAGATATTTCAGAGGCTTTATTAAAGATTGTACCTGAATTTA AACACAATAAAGAAGGTGTA

The amino acid sequence of the PglF protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 67 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 68) MIFYKSKRLAFFLTSDIVLILLSVYLAFSLRFSGDIPSIFYHGMMVSAII LLVLKLSFLFVFRIYKVAWRFFSLNEARKIFIALLLAEFCFFLIFYFFSD FFNPFPRSAIVIDFVLSYMFIGTLRISKRMLVDFKPSRMKEEETPCIVVG ATSKALHLLKGAKEGSLGLFPVGVVDARKELIGTYCDKFIVEEKEKIKSY VEQGVKTAIIALRLEQEELKKLFEELVAYGICDVKIFSFTRNEARDISIE DLLARKPKDLDDSAVAAFLKDKVVLVSGAGGTIGSELCKQCIKFGAKHLI MVDHSEYNLYKINDDLNLYKEKITPILLSILDKQSLDEVLKTYKPELILH AAAYKHVPLCEQNPHSAVINNILGTKILCDSAKENKVAKFVMISTDKAVR PTNIMGCTKRVCELYTLSMSDENFEVACVRFGNVLGSSGSVIPKFKAQIA NNEPLTLTHPDIVRYFMLVAEAVQLVLQAGAIAKGGELFVLDMGKPVKII DLAKKMLLLSNRNDLEIKITGLRKGEKLYEELLIDENDAKTQYESIFVAK NEKVDLDWLNKEIENLQICEDISEALLKIVPEFKHNKEGV.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pglF gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 67). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglF gene, wherein the pglF gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglF gene, wherein the pglF gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglF protein, wherein said PglF protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:68. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglF protein, wherein said PglF protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68.

pglG—In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a pglG gene (e.g., a C. jejuni pglG gene).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a pglG gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising an pglG gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium.

The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary C. jejuni pglG gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 69) ATGTATATAAAAGATATACAAAGATTTGAAGATAATCGCTATCGTGCTAG AGCTTATATGAGTTATATTTTAACAAGAAATCTGCCCAATAAACTTCCTG ATATTCACCTTGAAACGATTAAAACAGCTTTGGATAAAATAGCTCATGAA GTTGTTGTTTTTGATGCTTTGTATATTTTAGATATTTCAGGCATGCAAAT AGAAAATGCGATTTCCTTAAATAAAGCTCATGAAATAGGGCAGGGTGAGG ATAGAAGTACTCGTTCTTATTTTTATAGAGCTGTAAAATTAAGACGATGT GTTTTGAGCGATCCTTATCCTTCGGTTTTAAATAATGAGCTTTGCGTGAC AGCTTCTATGCCAATTTACGATGATAAAAATAACTTGCTTTTTGTTGTTT GTATTGATATCAAGCTTGAAGATATTTTAAAGATTATTCAAGCAGGAAAA TTTGAATTTGTTTTTACTCAGTTTAGTCGTTTGGTATATTTTTGCTTCGC ACTGGTTTTATTTGTGATTACTTGTTTTTTATTTCAAAAAGGTTTTTTTA GTCTTTTTGATAATCAAGCTATAGGTATAGAACATATGTTTGAAAGTACC ATCGCTATAACTTTGGCTTTAGCTATTTTTGATTTGGCAAAAACTTTGAT CGAACAAGAAGTATTAGGAAGGACGAAAAAAGAAGAAGGTGGAATTCAAA AAACTATGGTGAGATTTTTGGGTTCTATTATCATTGCTTTAGCTATAGAA GCTTTGATGTTGGTATTTAAACTTGCTATTGGTGATCTTTCTCAGATGAT TTATGCGATTTATCTTATCGGTGGAGTGAGCTTGCTTCTTTTAGGTTTAA GTGTATATTTATTTACGGTTAAGTATAAAAATAATAATATTTGA

The amino acid sequence of the PglG protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 69 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 70) MYIKDIQRFEDNRYRARAYMSYILTRNLPNKLPDIHLETIKTALDKIAHE VVVFDALYILDISGMQIENAISLNKAHEIGQGEDRSTRSYFYRAVKLRRC VLSDPYPSVLNNELCVTASMPIYDDKNNLLFVVCIDIKLEDILKIIQAGK FEFVFTQFSRLVYFCFALVLFVITCFLFQKGFFSLFDNQAIGIEHMFEST IAITLALAIFDLAKTLIEQEVLGRTKKEEGGIQKTMVRFLGSIIIALAIE ALMLVFKLAIGDLSQMIYAIYLIGGVSLLLLGLSVYLFTVKYKNNNI

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a C. jejuni pglG gene (provided as SEQ ID NO: 69). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglG gene, wherein the pglG gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a pglG gene, wherein the pglG gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglG protein, wherein said PglG protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PglG protein, wherein said PglG protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70.

C. Attenuation

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein is modified such that the expression of one or more genes can be regulated in a sugar-responsive manner. In some embodiments, one or more endogenous genes, e.g., virulence genes, are deleted from the bacterial chromosome. In some embodiments, the deletion is a partial deletion of the endogenous gene. In some embodiments, the deletion is a full-length deletion of the endogenous gene. In some embodiments, the gene is genetically-altered to prevent transcription and/or translation of the gene encoding the protein. In some embodiments, the endogenous gene is genetically altered to insert a transcriptional terminator in the open reading frame of the gene. In some embodiments, a regulatory region of the gene, e.g., virulence gene, is genetically-modified to alter (e.g., decrease) the expression of the gene. In some embodiments, the promoter of a gene, e.g., virulence gene, is altered to include one or more regulatory elements (e.g., a sugar-responsive promoter).

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein is modified to comprise a nucleic acid comprising a gene. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium is modified to comprise a nucleic acid comprising a gene, whereby an endogenous copy of the gene in the bacterial chromosome has been altered and/or deleted. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a gene that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to an endogenous gene in the bacterial chromosome that has been deleted and/or altered. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a gene that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to an endogenous gene in the bacterial chromosome that has been deleted and/or altered. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a gene from a bacterial species, subspecies, serovar, or strain that is different than the bacterial species of the recombinant bacterium.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a gene from a bacterial species, subspecies, serovar, or strain that is the same as the bacterial species of the recombinant bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a gene that is operably-linked to a regulatable promoter (e.g., a sugar-regulatable promoter). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a gene that is operably-linked to a rhamnose-regulatable promoter, a xylose-regulatable promoter, a galactose-regulatable promoter, an arabinose-regulatable promoter, a rhamnose-regulatable promoter, a mannose-regulatable promoter, or a maltose-regulatable promoter. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising the gene is located in a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising the gene is located in the bacterial chromosome. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising the gene is located at the chromosomal locus corresponding to the locus of an endogenous gene that has been deleted or altered in the bacterial chromosome. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is codon-optimized (e.g., to improve expression of the nucleic acid in the recombinant bacterium).

GTP Pyrophosphokinase Genes

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a deletion in an endogenous relA gene, which encodes the GTP pyrophosphokinase RelA. The inclusion of a relA deletion in the recombinant bacterium uncouples the occurrence of growth-dependent lysis to the need for continued protein synthesis. In some embodiments, the deletion of the endogenous relA gene is a partial deletion. In some embodiments, the deletion of the endogenous relA gene is a full-length deletion.

Other Attenuation Methods

Other methods of attenuation are known in the art. For instance, attenuation may be accomplished by altering (e.g., deleting) native nucleic acid sequences found in the wild type bacterium. For instance, if the bacterium is Salmonella, non-limiting examples of nucleic acid sequences which may be used for attenuation include: a pab nucleic acid sequence, a pur nucleic acid sequence, an aro nucleic acid sequence, asd, a dap nucleic acid sequence, nadA, pncB, galE, pmi, fur, rpsL, ompR, htrA, hemA, cdt, cya, crp, dam, phoP, phoQ, rfc, poxA, galU, mviA, sodC, recA, ssrA, sirA, inv, hilA, rpoE, flgM, tonB, slyA, and any combination thereof. Exemplary attenuating mutations may be aroA, aroC, aroD, cdt, cya, crp, phoP, phoQ, ompR, galE, and htrA.

In certain embodiments, the above nucleic acid sequences may be placed under the control of a sugar regulated promoter wherein the sugar is present during in vitro growth of the recombinant bacterium, but substantially absent within an animal or human host. The cessation in transcription of the nucleic acid sequences listed above would then result in attenuation and the inability of the recombinant bacterium to induce disease symptoms.

D. Additional Mutations

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a deletion in an endogenous recF gene, which encodes the DNA replication and repair protein RecF. In some embodiments, the deletion of the endogenous recF gene is a partial deletion. In some embodiments, the deletion of the endogenous recF gene is a full-length deletion. In some embodiments, the endogenous recF gene is genetically altered to insert a transcriptional terminator in the open reading frame of the gene.

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a deletion in an endogenous recJ gene, which encodes the exonuclease RecJ. In some embodiments, the deletion of the endogenous recJ gene is a partial deletion. In some embodiments, the deletion of the endogenous recJ gene is a full-length deletion. In some embodiments, the endogenous recJ gene is genetically altered to insert a transcriptional terminator in the open reading frame of the gene.

The bacterium may also be modified to create a balanced-lethal host-vector system, although other types of systems may also be used (e.g., creating complementation heterozygotes). For the balanced-lethal host-vector system, the bacterium may be modified by manipulating its ability to synthesize various essential constituents needed for synthesis of the rigid peptidoglycan layer of its cell wall. In one example, the constituent is diaminopimelic acid (DAP) (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,672,345; 5,840,482; and 6,872,547, the entire contents of each of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference). Various enzymes are involved in the eventual synthesis of DAP.

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a deletion in an endogenous asd gene. In some embodiments, the deletion of the endogenous asd gene is a partial deletion. In some embodiments, the deletion of the endogenous asd gene is a full-length deletion. In some embodiments, the endogenous asd gene is genetically altered to insert a transcriptional terminator in the open reading frame of the gene. In some embodiments, the promoter of an endogenous asd gene is altered to include one or more regulatory elements (e.g., a sugar-responsive promoter). In one example, the bacterium is modified by using a ΔasdA mutation to eliminate the bacterium's ability to produce β-aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, an enzyme essential for the synthesis of DAP. Other mutations that result in the abolition of the synthesis of DAP include, but are not limited to, dapA, dapB, dapC, dapD, dapE, dapF, and asd (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,547, incorporated herein by reference). Other modifications that may be employed include modifications to a bacterium's ability to synthesize D-alanine or to synthesize D-glutamic acid (e.g., ΔmurI mutations), which are both unique constituents of the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall.

Similarly, various embodiments may comprise the araC P_(araBAD) c2 gene cassette inserted into the asd nucleic acid sequence that encodes aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase. Since the araC nucleic acid sequence is transcribed in a direction that could lead to interference in the expression of adjacent nucleic acid sequences and adversely affect vaccine strain performance, a transcription termination (TT) sequence is generally inserted 3′ to the araC nucleic acid sequence. The chromosomal asd nucleic acid sequence is typically inactivated to enable use of plasmid vectors encoding the wild-type asd nucleic acid sequence in the balanced lethal host-vector system. This allows for stable maintenance of plasmids in vivo in the absence of any drug resistance attributes that are not permissible in live bacterial vaccines. In some of these embodiments, the wild-type asd nucleic acid sequence may be encoded by the vector described herein. The vector enables the regulated expression of an antigen encoding sequence through the repressible promoter.

Regulated Delayed Lysis In Vivo

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium may comprise deletions and/or deletion-insertion mutations to facilitate regulated delayed lysis in vivo that prevents bacterial persistence in vivo and survival if excreted (Table 3). These chromosomal mutations may include: Δ(wza-wcaM), ΔP_(murA)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA, and ΔasdA::TT araC P_(BAD) c2. Δ(wza-wcaM) eliminates twenty enzymes needed to synthesize several exopolysaccharides that promote biofilm formation and for synthesis of GDP-fucose that is required for colonic acid synthesis 9194), which can protect cells from undergoing cell wall-less death from lysing (195). ΔP_(murA)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA, makes synthesis of MurA, the first enzyme in the synthesis of muramic acid, dependent on presence of arabinose in growth medium and ceases to be synthesized in vivo due to the absence of arabinose (142) (118). MurA decreases as a consequence of cell division in vivo to ultimately lead to cell lysis and death (166) (191). The murA defect is complemented by MurA⁺ plasmid vectors (142) (118). With respect to the ΔasdA::TT araC P_(BAD) c2 mutations, the Asd enzyme is essential for the synthesis of diaminopimelic acid required for peptidoglycan synthesis (167) (192). The arabinose-dependent synthesis of the C2 repressor is to enable a regulated delayed expression of DNA sequences under the control of a promoter repressed by C2 (142) (118). The ΔasdA mutation is complemented by Asd⁺ plasmid vectors (157) (193).

The latter two mutations are typically complemented by a regulated delayed lysis plasmid vector that has an arabinose-dependent expression of asdA and murA genes. A recombinant bacterium comprising such mutations grows normally in the presence of arabinose. In vivo, however, the bacterium ceases to express any nucleic acids encoding the Asd and MurA enzymes, such that synthesis of the peptidoglycan cell wall layer ceases, ultimately resulting in the lysis of the bacterium. This lysis may result in the release of a bolus of antigen specific for an enteric pathogen, thereby serving as a means to enhance induction of immunity against that enteric pathogen while conferring biological containment.

Additional methods of delayed lysis are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,481,888, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

sopB Mutation

To be safe for use as a vaccine, the bacterial enteric pathogen must be attenuated for virulence by deletion or regulated expression of a virulence gene. In the case of Salmonella, for instance, an effector molecule secreted by the type 3 secretion system, such as sopB, may be altered to achieve attenuation. The genes may be deleted or a regulatable promoter may be inserted in front of the gene to achieve regulated delayed attenuation. As used herein, “regulated delayed attenuation” refers to the ability of the microbe to colonize a host and then display an attenuation phenotype to avoid actually causing a symptomatic infection.

E. Repressor Regulatory Systems

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid (e.g., a gene) that is operably linked to a repressor-regulatable promoter to facilitate the regulatable expression of the gene. Thus, in some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid comprising a gene encoding a repressor. In some embodiments, the gene encoding the repressor is operably-linked to a regulatable promoter. Methods of chromosomally integrating a nucleic acid sequence encoding a repressor operably-linked to a regulatable promoter are known in the art and detailed in the examples. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a repressor is not integrated into a chromosomal locus such that the ability of the bacterium to colonize a host cell is disrupted. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid encoding a repressor that is integrated into the relA locus of the bacterial chromosome. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises a nucleic acid encoding a repressor that is integrated into the endA locus of the bacterial chromosome. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding a repressor. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six or more nucleic acids encoding a repressor. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding the repressor is present on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding the repressor is located in the bacterial chromosome. If there is more than one nucleic acid sequence encoding a repressor, each nucleic acid sequence encoding a repressor may be operably linked to a regulatable promoter, such that each promoter is regulated by the same compound or condition. Alternatively, each nucleic acid sequence encoding a repressor may be operably linked to a regulatable promoter, each of which is regulated by a different compound or condition.

As used herein, a “repressor” refers to a biomolecule that represses the transcriptional activity of a promoter. In some embodiments, the repressor is synthesized by the recombinant bacterium in high enough quantities during in vitro culture, such that the transcription of a nucleic acid that is operably linked to a repressor-regulatable promoter is repressed. This may be particularly advantageous if, for example, expression of the product encoded by said nucleic acid impedes the in vitro growth of the bacterium, and/or the ability of the bacterium to infect and/or colonize a subject. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid that is operably-linked to the repressor-regulatable promoter expresses an antigen of interest. In some embodiments, the concentration of the repressor within the cell gradually decreases with each cell division cycle after transcription of the gene encoding the repressor decreases or ceases (e.g., in vivo). The use of a particular repressor, as described herein, may depend, in part, on the species, subspecies, strain or serovar of the recombinant bacterium being used. In some embodiments, the repressor is derived from the same species (e.g., the same bacterial species or the same phage) from which the repressor-regulatable promoter is derived. In some embodiments the repressor is not derived from the same bacterial species as the bacterial species in which the repressor is expressed. For example, in some embodiments, the repressor is derived from E. coli if the recombinant bacterium is of the genus Salmonella. Other suitable repressors include repressors derived from a bacteriophage.

A nucleic acid sequence encoding a repressor and regulatable promoter detailed above may be modified so as to optimize the expression level of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the repressor. The optimal level of expression of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the repressor may be estimated, or may be determined by experimentation. Such a determination should take into consideration whether the repressor acts as a monomer, dimer, trimer, tetramer, or higher multiple, and should also take into consideration the copy number of the vector encoding the antigen of interest. In an exemplary embodiment, the level of expression is optimized so that the repressor is synthesized while in a permissive environment (i.e., in vitro growth) at a level that substantially inhibits the expression of the nucleic acid encoding an antigen of interest, and is substantially not synthesized in a non-permissive environment, thereby allowing expression of the nucleic acid encoding an antigen of interest.

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium described herein is modified to comprise a nucleic acid comprising a lacI gene, which encodes the Lad repressor protein. The expression of the lacI-encoded repressor in the recombinant bacterium described herein may be used to regulate the expression of an antigen of interest expressed by the bacterium. For example, in some embodiments, the expression of the lacI gene is regulated by a sugar-regulatable promoter (e.g., an arabinose-regulatable promoter). When cultured in the presence of arabinose, the recombinant bacterium will express the Lad repressor protein, which in turn will repress the expression of a gene encoding an antigen of interest that is operably-linked to a LacI-responsive promoter (e.g., P_(trc), P_(lac), P_(T7lac) and P_(tac)). Upon administration to the subject and in the absence of a source of arabinose, the synthesis of LacI repressor ceases, leading to de-repression of the LacI-responsive promoter and the subsequence expression of the antigen of interest. The concentration of Lad in the cell decreases by about half at each cell division in vivo, leading to a gradual decreased level of repression and gradual increased synthesis of the antigen of interest.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a lacI gene is located on a plasmid in the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a lacI gene is located on a chromosome of the bacterium. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a lacI gene is located at the chromosomal locus corresponding to the locus of an endogenous a relA gene that has been deleted or altered in the bacterial chromosome. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium is modified to comprise a nucleic acid comprising a lacI gene, whereby an endogenous copy of the lacI gene in the bacterial chromosome has been altered and/or deleted.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a Escherichia coli lacI gene. The nucleic acid sequence of the E. coli lacI gene is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 78) gtgaaaccagtaacgttatacgatgtcgcagagtatgccggtgtctctta tcagaccgtttcccgcgtggtgaaccaggccagccacgtttctgcgaaaa cgcgggaaaaagtggaagcggcgatggcggagctgaattacattcccaac cgcgtggcacaacaactggcgggcaaacagtcgttgctgattggcgttgc cacctccagtctggccctgcacgcgccgtcgcaaattgtcgcggcgatta aatctcgcgccgatcaactgggtgccagcgtggtggtgtcgatggtagaa cgaagcggcgtcgaagcctgtaaagcggcggtgcacaatcttctcgcgca acgcgtcagtgggctgatcattaactatccgctggatgaccaggatgcca ttgctgtggaagctgcctgcactaatgttccggcgttatttcttgatgtc tctgaccagacacccatcaacagtattattttctcccatgaagacggtac gcgactgggcgtggagcatctggtcgcattgggtcaccagcaaatcgcgc tgttagcgggcccattaagttctgtctcggcgcgtctgcgtctggctggc tggcataaatatctcactcgcaatcaaattcagccgatagcggaacggga aggcgactggagtgccatgtccggttttcaacaaaccatgcaaatgctga atgagggcatcgttcccactgcgatgctggttgccaacgatcagatggcg ctgggcgcaatgcgcgccattaccgagtccgggctgcgcgttggtgcgga tatctcggtagtgggatacgacgataccgaagacagctcatgttatatcc cgccgttaaccaccatcaaacaggattttcgcctgctggggcaaaccagc gtggaccgcttgctgcaactctctcagggccaggcggtgaagggcaatca gctgttgcccgtctcactggtgaaaagaaaaaccaccctggcgcccaata cgcaaaccgcctctccccgcgcgttggccgattcattaatgcagctggca cgacaggtttcccgactggaaagcgggcagtga

The amino acid sequence of the E. coli Lad protein encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:78 is provided below:

(SEQ ID NO: 79) MKPVTLYDVAEYAGVSYQTVSRVVNQASHVSAKTREKVEAAMAELNYIPN RVAQQLAGKQSLLIGVATSSLALHAPSQIVAAIKSRADQLGASVVVSMVE RSGVEACKAAVHNLLAQRVSGLIINYPLDDQDAIAVEAACTNVPALFLDV SDQTPINSIIFSHEDGTRLGVEHLVALGHQQIALLAGPLSSVSARLRLAG WHKYLTRNQIQPIAEREGDWSAMSGFQQTMQMLNEGIVPTAMLVANDQMA LGAMRAITESGLRVGADISVVGYDDTEDSSCYIPPLTTIKQDFRLLGQTS VDRLLQLSQGQAVKGNQLLPVSLVKRKTTLAPNTQTASPRALADSLMQLA RQVSRLESGQ

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a lacI gene, wherein the lacI gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a lacI gene, wherein the lacI gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Lad protein, wherein said Lad protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Lad protein, wherein said Lad protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a lacI gene that is operably-linked to a regulatable promoter (e.g., a sugar-regulatable promoter). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a lacI gene that is operably-linked to a sugar-regulatable promoter. In some embodiments, the sugar regulatable promoter exhibits increased activity (e.g., increased transcription) in the presence of a specific sugar and decreased activity in the absence of a sugar. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a lacI gene that is operably-linked to a rhamnose-regulatable promoter (e.g., a sugar-regulatable promoter). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a lacI gene that is operably-linked to an arabinose-regulatable promoter. In some embodiments, the arabinose-regulatable promoter is P_(araBAD). In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium comprises the mutation ΔrelA::araC P_(araBAD) lacI TT.

II. Pharmaceutical Compositions

A recombinant bacterium may be administered to a host as a pharmaceutical composition. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition may be used as a vaccine to elicit an immune response to the recombinant bacterium, including any antigens that may be synthesized and delivered by the bacterium. In an exemplary embodiment, the immune response is protective. Immune responses to antigens are well studied and widely reported.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a recombinant bacterium described herein. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a recombinant bacterium that synthesizes a Salmonella antigen of interest. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a recombinant bacterium that synthesizes a Campylobacter antigen of interest. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a recombinant bacterium that synthesizes a Salmonella antigen of interest and a recombinant bacterium that synthesizes a Campylobacter antigen of interest. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a recombinant bacterium that synthesizes an antigen of interest comprising a Campylobacter N-glycan. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, at least nine or more recombinant bacterial strains, as described herein.

Pharmaceutical compositions may be administered to any host capable of mounting an immune response. Such hosts may include all vertebrates, for example, mammals, including domestic animals, agricultural animals, laboratory animals, and humans, and various species of birds, including domestic birds and birds of agricultural importance. Preferably, the host is a warm-blooded animal. In one embodiment, the host is a cow. In some embodiments, the host is an equine. In another embodiment, the host is an avian. In another embodiment, the host is a human.

The pharmaceutical composition can be administered to the subject as a prophylactic or for treatment purposes. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition can be administered for the prophylaxis or treatment of salmonellosis. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition can be administered for the prophylaxis or treatment of a Campylobacter infection. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition can be administered for the prophylaxis or treatment of salmonellosis and/or a Campylobacter infection.

In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium is alive when administered to a host in a pharmaceutical composition described herein. Suitable vaccine composition formulations and methods of administration are detailed below.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant bacterium may optionally comprise one or more possible additives, such as carriers, preservatives, stabilizers, adjuvants, and other substances.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises an adjuvant. Adjuvants are optionally added to increase the ability of the vaccine to trigger, enhance, or prolong an immune response. In exemplary embodiments, the use of a live attenuated recombinant bacterium may act as a natural adjuvant. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacterium synthesizes and secretes an immune modulator. Additional materials, such as cytokines, chemokines, and bacterial nucleic acid sequences naturally found in bacteria, like CpG, are also potential vaccine adjuvants.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises buffered saline (e.g., phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)).

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a food product.

In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical may comprise a pharmaceutical carrier (or excipient). Such a carrier may be any solvent or solid material for encapsulation that is non-toxic to the inoculated host and compatible with the recombinant bacterium. A carrier may give form or consistency, or act as a diluent. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers may include liquid carriers, such as normal saline and other non-toxic salts at or near physiological concentrations, and solid carriers not used for humans, such as talc or sucrose, or animal feed. Carriers may also include stabilizing agents, wetting and emulsifying agents, salts for varying osmolarity, encapsulating agents, buffers, and skin penetration enhancers. Carriers and excipients as well as formulations for parenteral and nonparenteral drug delivery are set forth in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 19th Ed. Mack Publishing (1995). When used for administering via the bronchial tubes, the pharmaceutical composition is preferably presented in the form of an aerosol.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is delivered to a farm animal (e.g., poultry). In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is delivered as a course spray (e.g., for use in hatcheries for delivery to poultry). In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is delivered in the drinking water.

Care should be taken when using additives so that the live recombinant bacterium is not killed, or have its ability to effectively colonize lymphoid tissues such as the GALT, NALT and BALT compromised by the use of additives. Stabilizers, such as lactose or monosodium glutamate (MSG), may be added to stabilize the pharmaceutical composition against a variety of conditions, such as temperature variations or a freeze-drying process. The recombinant bacterium may also be co-administered with glutamate and/or arginite as described herein.

The dosages of a pharmaceutical composition can and will vary depending on the recombinant bacterium, the regulated antigen, and the intended host, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art. Generally speaking, the dosage need only be sufficient to elicit a protective immune response in a majority of hosts. Routine experimentation may readily establish the required dosage. typical initial dosages of vaccine for oral administration could be about 1×10⁷ to 1×10¹⁰ CFU depending upon the age of the host to be immunized. Administering multiple dosages may also be used as needed to provide the desired level of protective immunity.

In order to stimulate a preferred response of the GALT, NALT or BALT cells, administration of the pharmaceutical composition directly into the gut, nasopharynx, or bronchus is preferred, such as by oral administration, intranasal administration, gastric intubation or in the form of aerosols, although other methods of administering the recombinant bacterium, such as intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous injection or intramammary, intrapenial, intrarectal, vaginal administration, or other parenteral routes, are possible, e.g., for anti-cancer applications.

In some embodiments, these compositions are formulated for administration by injection (e.g., intraperitoneally, intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, etc.).

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for eliciting an immune response against an antigen in a host. The method comprises administering to the host an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant bacterium described herein.

In still another embodiment, a recombinant bacterium may be used in a method for eliciting an immune response against a pathogen in an individual in need thereof. The method comprises administrating to the host an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant bacterium as described herein. In a further embodiment, a recombinant bacterium described herein may be used in a method for ameliorating one or more symptoms of an infectious disease in a host in need thereof. The method comprises administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant bacterium as described herein.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which should not be construed as limiting in any way. The contents of all cited references, including literature references, issued patents, and published patent applications, as cited throughout this application are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. It should further be understood that the contents of all the figures and tables attached hereto are also expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Example 1: Background and Overview

Campylobacter is a leading cause of bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide and is a major public health problem (21-23). A recent estimate by the CDC indicates that C. jejuni is not only among the most common causes of foodborne illnesses in humans (over 800,000 cases per year), but also is a leading cause of hospitalization (over 8,000 annually) (24). Patients infected with C. jejuni often experience watery/bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and fever. Severe neurological sequelae, bacteremia and other extraintestinal complications may develop infrequently (25). C. jejuni is widespread in food-producing animals, especially in poultry. The majority of human C. jejuni infections are predominantly associated with poor handling of raw chicken or consumption of undercooked chicken (1, 2, 26-32). The predominant role of poultry in human campylobacteriosis is supported by high prevalence of C. jejuni in both live birds and on carcasses, findings from epidemiological studies, and detection of identical genotypes in both poultry and human infections (28-30, 33, 34).

Domestic poultry including chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, are frequently infected with C. jejuni and C. coli (3, 35-37). Despite extensive colonization in the intestinal tract, Campylobacter infection produces little or no clinical diseases in poultry (3, 35, 38, 39). Prevalence studies conducted in Europe and the U.S. have reported C. jejuni-positive flocks ranging from 2% to 100% (38, 40-42). typically, the prevalence of C. jejuni increases as the birds grow and reaches highest points at the slaughter age for broilers. Once a broiler flock is infected with C. jejuni, the majority of birds within the flock become colonized in (40, 43-46). The high numbers of C. jejuni in the intestinal tract results in contamination of poultry carcasses during slaughter such that C. jejuni on poultry carcasses at the end of the processing line (post-chill) is usually over 50% varying from 0 to 100% (33, 47-53). In the U.S., several studies reported that a large percentage of processed broiler carcasses were contaminated with high numbers of C. jejuni (47, 53-55). Carcass contamination by C. jejuni is attributable to the farm of origin as high prevalence on a farm is usually associated with high-level carcass contamination in processing plants (56-60).

Salmonellosis develops different syndromes, including gastroenteritis, enteric fever (typhoid fever), and bacteremia, and as asymptomatic carriage in animals and humans (61). It is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., with 35% of the hospitalizations and 28% of the deaths (24). There are approximately 1.03 million cases of non-typhoidal Salmonella each year in the U.S., costing an economic loss of approximately $3.31 billion due to premature mortality, disability, and medical and productivity costs, with an annual loss of 16,782 quality-adjusted life years (62). Salmonella has a broad host range and adapts to survive in a wide range of different environments, even up to 16 months in dry feed stored at 25° C. (63, 64). Although a large number of human infections are associated with food animal sources, infections also come from pets, reptiles, fruits, vegetables and other humans (65-67). Transmission of Salmonella to humans typically occurs when ingesting foods that are contaminated by animal feces or cross-contaminated by other sources (4). Among these sources, poultry and poultry-associated products are widely recognized as being among the most important vehicles for human Salmonella infections according to CDC reports (5, 67-74). With increasing consumption of poultry and poultry products, the number of salmonellosis associated with poultry continues to be a significant public health issue in the U.S.

There are over 2000 Salmonella serotypes. S. enteritidis, S. heidelberg, S. kentucky and S. typhimurium are commonly associated with chickens and to various extents with other food animal species and human infections. According to the CDC and USDA, S. enteritidis was the most common serovar implicated in human illness in the U.S. (74) and most commonly associated with chickens and eggs and to a much lesser extent with other food animal species (74-80). S. heidelberg is also found in most major food animal species, eggs, and retail meat samples and is among the top five most common serotypes associated with human disease (79, 81, 82). Although, S. kentucky rarely causes human infections in the United States, it is an emerging serovar in Europe and North Africa (83) and is prevalent in poultry (75, 84, 85).

Traditionally, antibiotics have been used to treat bacterial infections and for growth promotion in food animals. However, these uses of antibiotics contributed to increasing rates of antibiotic resistance (86), resulting in contamination of flocks and food products by antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter, Salmonella, Enterococcus and Escherichia coli and thereby increasing risks of human infections (87). Public concerns over the spread of antibiotic resistance in zoonotic bacterial pathogens, which poses a threat to the effectiveness of existing antibiotic therapy in both clinical medical and veterinary practice (88-97), led the European Union, in 1999, to ban use of most antibiotics for growth promotion to preserve the effectiveness of important human drugs (98). In 2004, the U.S. FDA banned enrofloxacin in food animals on the grounds that its use contributed to fluoroquinolone resistance in human pathogens. More recently, FDA and industry have agreed to cease use of growth promotion antimicrobials. However, there are concerns that reductions in antibiotic use in animal production may lead to an increase in foodborne pathogens on meat and other animal food. Besides management practices, it is necessary to develop other effective ways to mitigate emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and to control foodborne pathogens. One of the best prevention strategies are development and use of vaccines.

Campylobacter Control:

Poultry houses can be contaminated by Campylobacter in many different ways from various environmental sources, making prevention of flock colonization by Campylobacter a very challenging task. In general, the on-farm control strategies examined for Campylobacter in poultry can be broadly divided into two approaches: 1) prevention of flock colonization by use of biosecurity-based interventions, and 2) prevention and/or reduction of Campylobacter colonization by non-biosecurity based measures such as vaccination, addition of bacteriocins, bacteriophages and feed additives, and competitive exclusion (42, 99-101). Improving biosecurity on farms apparently has a noticeable effect on lowering the overall flock prevalence. However, even the most stringent biosecurity measures do not always have a consistent and predictable effect on controlling Campylobacter and their effectiveness on flock prevalence is difficult to assess under commercial settings (42, 102-105). In addition, stringent biosecurity measures are cost-prohibitive, hard to maintain, and their effectiveness seems to vary with production systems (36, 42). Multiple non-biosecurity measures have been evaluated for control of Campylobacter in live birds. Currently, there are no commercially available competitive exclusion products, vaccines, bacteriocins, bacteriophages or feed/water additives for excluding Campylobacter from chickens under production conditions although some promising results obtained under laboratory conditions have recently been reported (99, 106-108).

Vaccination against C. jejuni is a promising strategy but requires optimization of the vaccination regimen (e.g., induction of mucosal and possibly cellular immunity and practical delivery systems) using protective antigens. C. jejuni is generally considered as a commensal of chickens even though systemic and mucosal humoral responses have been observed (109-111) and anti-Campylobacter antibodies are detectable in progenies as maternally-derived antibodies (112). However, lack of strong activation of innate/adaptive immune responses in chickens, unlike in humans, requires development of vaccine strategies that enhance the immune response to C. jejuni antigens. For C. jejuni vaccine antigens to be immunogenic, it is critical to deliver antigens to the regional lymph tissues and spleen to stimulate effective mucosal immunity and systemic antibody and cellular immune responses. Therefore, S. typhimurium-derived RASVs delivering C. jejuni protective antigens were constructed to control/reduce C. jejuni prevalence in poultry.

Salmonella Control.

Since contaminated poultry products are the major source of human Salmonella infection, vaccination of chickens is an important strategy to reduce the levels of Salmonella in poultry flocks, which will ultimately lead to lower rates of human Salmonella infection. Considering the whole life span of broilers as only 5-6 weeks, it is a challenge to develop a safe and effective Salmonella vaccine that could be cross-protective against different serovars. Currently, there are 3 types of vaccine, live attenuated, inactivated and subunit; only the former two are licensed for chickens. Live attenuated vaccines can be administered orally, delivering a bolus of antigens to the host and induce both antibody and cell-mediate immune responses. These live vaccines have used diverse attenuation strategies for strains of S. typhimurium (113-115) and S. enteritidis (115-121). However, variable efficacy and persistence, reversion to virulence, lack of cross protection and/or possible interference with Salmonella testing procedures are concerns (122-125). Killed vaccines are safe, but they must be delivered by costly injection and require adjuvants to increase efficacy (123-125). Thus, the need for a safe and improved live attenuated but highly immunogenic Salmonella vaccine still exists (125). Salmonella serotypes are defined by the immunologically heterogeneous LPS 0-antigen side chains and flagellar antigens. Therefore, induction of immune responses to these heterogeneous antigens will not serve well the purpose of inducing cross-protective immunity to the diversity of serotypes. On the other hand, Salmonella and other enteric bacterial pathogens possess a number of immunologically related cross-reactive antigens. These include the LPS core polysaccharide which is the same in most, if not all, S. enterica serotypes except for S. enterica serotype Arizonae (126). In addition, numerous outer membrane proteins (OMPs), although possessing micro-heterogeneity, nevertheless share antigenic determinants (127) as do the iron regulated outer membrane proteins (IROMPs) that are required for iron acquisition (128), an essential important function for pathogen success within an infected animal. Strategies for Salmonella vaccines have been developed to display wild-type surface antigenic determinants in vitro and during the initial phase of infection through mucosal surfaces in the orally immunized host and then cease to synthesize LPS O-antigen side chains and to constitutively synthesize iron-regulated outer membrane proteins (IROMPs) in internal organs (19, 129). Gradual elimination of LPS O-antigen side chains in vivo also better exposes the immunologically related cross-reactive OMPs and IROMPs for surveillance by and stimulation of the immune system. Immune responses to IROMPs are known to be effective in preventing septicemic infection with enteropathogens, especially E. coli causing colisepticemia in chickens and turkeys (130). Also, antibodies induced to IROMPs from one bacterial serotype can recognize IROMPs synthesized by other serotypes (131). The fur gene encodes a repressor that, in the presence of free iron, represses all genes encoding IROMPs (128). When iron concentrations become low, as is the case in animal host tissues beyond the intestinal wall barrier, the Fur ceases to be synthesized at a high level and one observes constitutive expression of IROMPs and other Fur-regulated genes needed to sequester iron away from the infected animal host (128). fur mutants are attenuated when fed orally, giving a two to three log higher LD₅₀ when administered either to mice (132) or day-of-hatch chicks (133). To achieve a high constitutive level of synthesis of all components for iron acquisition including IROMPs, the promoter of the fur gene (P_(fur)) was deleted and replaced with a tightly regulated araC P_(BAD) activator-promoter so that expression of the fur gene is solely dependent on the presence of arabinose (129) and is blind to the concentration of iron. Growth of S. typhimurium vaccines with a ΔP_(fur)::TT araC P_(araBAD) fur deletion-insertion mutation in media with a low level of arabinose results in very good colonization of lymphoid tissues, total attenuation at doses of 10⁹ CFU and very high levels of induced protective immunity (129).

Genetically engineered Salmonella serovars typhimurium (134), Paratyphi A and typhi (135, 136) have been created as vaccines for regulated delayed attenuation in vivo (129, 134), regulated delayed in vivo synthesis of protective antigens specified by codon-optimized DNA sequences (137-140) and regulated delayed lysis in vivo (140-142) such that vaccines can be grown under conditions that enable them to display after course spray or oral immunization the capabilities of a wild-type strain to survive host defense stresses and efficiently colonize effector lymphoid tissues before manifesting attenuation to preclude disease symptoms and to synthesize protein antigens to induce protective immune responses. Strains have been engineered to eliminate or decrease synthesis of serotype-specific LPS O-antigen (18, 143) and flagellar antigens, to expose conserved LPS core (18, 19, 143) and over-express immunologically cross-reactive surface outer membrane protein antigens (19, 144) needed for the acquisition of essential iron and manganese ions, to diminish induction of gastroenteritis symptoms (145) while retaining abilities to recruit innate immunity, and to exhibit biological containment by cell lysis to preclude persistence in vivo or survival if excreted (140-142). Strains are totally safe at high doses to newborn (136, 146, 147), pregnant, protein malnourished and immunocompromised mice. Also neonatal pups (7 days old) born from mothers immunized with the same RASV strain develop better immune responses and exhibit higher levels of protective immunity to challenge than pups born from unimmunized mothers. A somewhat analogous result was observed years ago when chicks hatched from eggs laid by immunized hens displayed higher levels of protective immunity to the same attenuated S. typhimurium vaccine used to immunize the hens than chicks from eggs laid by unimmunized hens (148). These technologies have been used to develop vaccines to prevent infections of newborns with Streptococcus pneumoniae (147), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (140, 149), a diversity of enteric bacterial pathogens causing diarrheal diseases in humans and influenza virus (141). In a recent human trial of a S. typhi derived RASV, complete safety and shedding of zero viable vaccine cells in stools collected for 12 days was observed and with vaccine doses of up to 10¹⁰ CFU administered orally (150). Vaccines have also been developed using S. typhimurium RASVs against pathogens of agriculturally important animals, especially to pathogens of chickens such as Eimeria species causing coccidiosis (151, 152) and Clostridium perfringens causing necrotic enteritis (153, 154). In these regards, six studies (140-142, 154-156) have demonstrated that RASVs with the regulated delayed lysis in vivo phenotype gave superior levels of immune responses and protective immunity compared to RASVs that did not have this lysis phenotype.

To eliminate use of plasmid vectors with non-permitted drug resistance genes and to stabilize plasmid vectors in RASVs in vivo, (157) a balanced-lethal vector-host system was developed by deletion of the asd gene to impose an obligate requirement for diaminopimelic acid (DAP), an essential constituent of the rigid layer of the cell wall and a plasmid vector with the wild-type asd gene. It was also demonstrated that better immune responses to synthesized protective antigens could be achieved by having them secreted using T2SSs such as fusion to the N- and C-terminal β-lactamase sequences (158, 159), which has now been further optimized (154). Enhanced immunogenicity is partially due to enhanced formation of immunogenic outer membrane vesicles containing protective antigens (19, 160).

Plasmids were also constructed (118) and used that are required for the display of the regulated delayed lysis in vivo phenotype in conjunction with the derivatives of χ11730, χ11791 and χ12341. These strains have an araC P_(araBAD) regulated expression of the murA gene encoding the first enzyme in muramic acid synthesis and the Δasd mutation blocking DAP synthesis in its chromosome. These lysis plasmids cause synthesis of protective antigens for delivery by cell lysis and have araC P_(araBAD) regulated murA and asd genes with GTG start codons to decrease translation efficiency. The P22 P_(R) located with opposite orientation to the transcription of the plasmid araC P_(araBAD) GTG-murA GTG-asd genes is repressed by the C2 repressor made during growth of the strain in medium with arabinose (due to the ΔasdA::TT araC P_(araBAD) c2 mutation). However, C2 concentration decreases due to cell division in vivo to cause P_(R)-directed synthesis of anti-sense mRNA to block translation of residual asdA and murA mRNA. Transcription terminators (TT) flank all plasmid domains for controlled lysis, replication and gene expression so that expression in one domain does not affect activities of another domain.

A. Protective Immunity Against Eimeria Infection in Chickens.

Protective responses in chickens against E. acervulina causing coccidiosis was demonstrated. FIGS. 1A and 1B show comparative data for immunization of chickens with non-lysis and lysis strains without and with the ΔsifA mutation for delivery of the Eimeria SO7 antigen. The ΔsifA mutation enables the RASV to escape from the Salmonella containing vesicle (SCV) so that lysis occurs in the cytosol to enhance induction of CD8-, CD17- and NKT-dependent cellular immunities. Clearly, the most extensive Eimeria SO7-specific lymphocyte proliferation was induced by RASV strains with the lysis phenotype and the ΔsifA mutation (Group 7). This same group gave the highest levels of antigen-specific IgA antibody responses (FIGS. 1C and 1D), CD8 cells (FIG. 2A), cytokine response (FIG. 2B), and weight gain after Eimeria oocyst challenge (Table 1). Based on these results, the ΔsifA mutation is included in the RASV vector strains to specify synthesis and delivery of C. jejuni protective antigens. These collective results demonstrate the efficacy in using these improved RASVs to develop vaccines that will confer protective immunity to Salmonella and C. jejuni strains in chickens. The use of RASVs that also exhibit complete biological containment with no persistence in vivo or survival if shed in feces, provides another important benefit.

TABLE 1 Immunization of broiler chickens with RASV strains and challenged with E. tenella oocysts ^(c)Weight Secondary gain ^(d)Feed ^(a)Primary Immu- ^(b)Oocyst (mean ± conversion Group Immunization nization challenge SEM) ratio (FCR) 1 BSG BSG No 576 ± 32 1.75 ± 0.17 2 BSG BSG Yes 510 ± 17 1.95 ± 0.06 3 χ11791(pYA3681) Yes Yes 491 ± 36 2.22 ± 0.47 4 χ11442(pYA5301) Yes Yes 502 ± 58 2.04 ± 0.17 5 χ11840(pYA5301) Yes Yes 433 ± 28 2.03 ± 0.19 6 χ11730(pYA5293) Yes Yes 558 ± 7  1.91 ± 0.08 7 χ11791(pYA5293) Yes Yes 598 ± 20 1.77 ± 0.00 ^(a)Chickens were orally vaccinated when 1 week old and again 1 week later. ^(b)Three weeks later, groups G2 to G7 were inoculated with 10⁵ E. tenella oocysts. Group 3 = Empty Vector Control. Groups 3 & 4 = Non-Lysis RASVs delivering Eimeria S07 antigen. Groups 6 & 7 = Lysis RASVs delivering S07 antigen. Group 7 RASV also escapes from the Salmonella-containing vesicle for lysis in the cytosol to induce maximal systemic and cellular immunities. ^(c)Weight gain in grams calculated over the infection period (6 days) between E. tenella challenge and termination. ^(d)FCR, feed conversion ratio calculated as average amount of feed (g) consumed/average weight gain over the infection period (6 days) between E. tenella challenge and termination.

B. S. typhimurium Vaccine Vector Strains

E. coli host strains for construction of recombinant plasmid vectors and for conjugational transfer of suicide vectors for construction of S. typhimurium with improved properties with added mutational alterations are listed in Table 2. Strains used for the construction and evaluation of RASV strains synthesizing and delivering the Eimeria SO7 antigen and C. jejuni antigens are also listed in Table 2. The phenotypic attributes associated with the mutations in these strains are described in Table 3.

TABLE 2 Bacterial Strains E. coli strains χ6212(pYA232): φ80d lacZ ΔM15 deoR Δ(lacZYA-argF)U169 supE44 λ⁻ gyrA96 recA1 relA1 endA1 ΔasdA4 Δzhf-2::Tn10 hsdR17 (r⁻ m⁺), lacI_(q) in pSC101 ori, Tc plasmid 10.2 kb χ7213: thi-1 thr-1 leuB6 glnV44 fhuA21 lacY1 recA1 RP4-2-Tc::Mu [λ pir] ΔasdA4 Δzhf-2::Tn10 S. Typhimurium strains χ11442: ΔasdA33 ΔrelA198::araC P_(BAD) lacI TT ΔaraBAD23 Δpmi-2426 χ11730: ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(araBAD) murA ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(araBAD) c2 Δ(wza-wcaM)-8 Δpmi-2426 ΔrelA198::araC P_(araBAD) lacI TT X11791: ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(araBAD) murA ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(BAD) c2 Δ(wza-wcaM)-8 Δpmi- 2426 ΔrelA198::araC P_(araBAD) lacI TT ΔsifA26 χ11840: ΔasdA33 ΔrelA198::araC P_(araBAD) lacI TT ΔaraBAD23 Δpmi-2426 ΔsifA26 χ12341: ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(araBAD) murA ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(araBAD) c2 Δ(wza-wcaM)-8 Δpmi-2426 ΔrelA197::araC P_(araBAD) lacI TT ΔrecF126 ΔsifA26 ΔwaaL46 ΔpagL64:TT rhaRS P_(rhaBAD) waaL χ12396: ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(araBAD) murA ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(araBAD) c2 Δ(wza-wcaM)- 8 Δpmi-2426 ΔrelA197:: araC P_(araBAD) lacI TT ΔrecF126 ΔsifA26 ΔwaaL46 ΔpagL64::TT rhaRS P_(rhaBAD) waaL ΔP_(fur33)::TT araC P_(araBAD) fur χ12445: ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(araBAD) murA ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(araBAD) c2 Δ(wza-wcaM)- 8 Δpmi-2426 ΔrelA197:: araC P_(araBAD) lacI TT ΔrecF126 ΔsifA26 ΔwbaP45 ΔpagL14::TT araC P_(araBAD) wbaP χ12452: ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(araBAD) murA ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(araBAD) c2 Δ(wza-wcaM)- 8 Δpmi-2426 ΔrelA197::araC P_(araBAD) laI TT ΔrecF126 ΔsifA26 ΔwaaL46 ΔpagL64::TT rhaRS P_(rhaBAD) waaL ΔompA11 ΔsopB1925

TABLE 3 Mutations and associated phenotypes used in S. Typhimurium vaccine strains^(a) Genotype Phenotype A. Deletion and deletion-insertion mutations to confer a regulated delayed attenuation Δpmi encodes phosphomannose isomerase needed for synthesis of GDP- mannose for LPS O-antigen and thus necessary for virulence (18). ΔwaaL ΔpagL::TT rhaRS regulates synthesis of enzyme responsible for P_(rhaBAD) waaL attaching first subunit of LPS O-antigen to the LPS core (the deletion of the waaL gene is necessary to prevent impairment in expression of other rfb operon genes (161); the regulated expression cassette is therefore inserted into the pagL gene. ΔP_(fur)::TT araC P_(BAD) fur makes synthesis of Fur dependent on presence of arabinose in growth medium and ceases to be synthesized in vivo due to the absence of arabinose (162) (104). Fur decreases as a consequence of cell division in vivo to lead to elevated synthesis of IROMPs and attenuation presumably due to an iron overload. ΔP_(mntR)::TT araC P_(BAD) mntR R makes synthesis of MntR dependent on presence of arabinose in growth medium and ceases to be synthesized in vivo due to the absence of arabinose (162) (104). MntR decreases as a consequence of cell division in vivo to cause elevated synthesis of MnROMPs to enhance induction of cross-protective immunity. B. Promoters and deletion-insertion mutations for regulated in vivo synthesis of antigens P_(trc) a promoter expressed at high level under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions and repressed by LacI (163). ΔrelA::araC P_(BAD) lacI TT the relA mutation uncouples growth regulation from a dependence of protein synthesis, an important attribute in strains with regulated delayed lysis (164) (189). The arabinose-dependent synthesis of the LacI repressor is to enable a regulated delayed expression of DNA sequences under the control of P_(trc) (137) (113). Phage P22 P_(L) and P_(R) these promoters are repressible by the arabinose-dependent synthesis of the C2 repressor (Vander Byl and Kropinski (190) (165). C. Deletion and deletion-insertion mutations to facilitate regulated delayed lysis in vivo ΔP_(murA)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA makes synthesis of MurA, the first enzyme in the synthesis of muramic acid, dependent on presence of arabinose in growth medium and ceases to be synthesized in vivo due to the absence of arabinose (142) (118). MurA decreases as a consequence of cell division in vivo to ultimately lead to cell lysis and death (166) (191). The murA defect is complemented by MurA⁺ plasmid vectors (142) (118). Δasd::TT araC P_(BAD) c2 the Asd enzyme is essential for the synthesis of diaminopimelic acid required for peptidoglycan synthesis (167) (192). The arabinose- dependent synthesis of the C2 repressor is to enable a regulated delayed expression of DNA sequences under the control of a promoter repressed by C2 (142) (118). The ΔasdA mutation is complemented by Asd⁺ plasmid vectors (157) (193). Δ(wza-wcaM) eliminates twenty enzymes needed to synthesize several exopolysaccharides that promote biofilm formation and for synthesis of GDP-fucose that is required for colanic acid synthesis (168) (194), which can protect cells undergoing cell wall-less death from lysing (169) (195). D. Mutations needed to enhance effective delivery of protective T-cell epitope antigens ΔsifA enables Salmonella to escape endosome = Salmonella containing vesicle (SCV) for lysis in cytosol (170) (196). E. Other contributing mutations ΔrecF eliminates recombinase that facilitates inter- and intra-plasmidic recombination (171-173) (197-199). ΔsopB eliminates excessive intestinal inflammation and enhances induction of mucosal immunity (145, 174-176)(122, 123) ΔompA eliminates a major outer membrane protein that is highly immunogenic (177) but does not contribute to protective immunity (178)with elimination due to mutation leading to enhanced induction of protective immunity to other outer membrane proteins ^(a)Δ = deletion; TT = transcription terminator; P = promoter

C. Campylobacter jejuni Putative and Demonstrated Protective Antigens.

Nineteen C. jejuni antigens were selected as known or probable protective antigens based on literature review and bioinformatics analyses. They are listed in Table 4 as likely to induce protective immune responses.

TABLE 4 Exemplary Campylobacter jejuni antigens GC Signal bp/ Identity among Gene Antigen Function contents peptide aa C. jejuni seq cj0034c Cj0034c putative periplasmic protein 32.3% 22/23 for euk 702/233 96-100% cj0113 Omp18 peptidoglycan associated 33.9 21/22 for euk 498/165 100% lipoprotein cj0168c Cj0168c putative periplasmic protein 33.3 Yes 168/55  78-100% 20/21 cj0248 Cj0248 virulence factor and play a role 30.8 No 858/285 90-100% in motility cj0289c Peb3 major antigenic peptide PEB3 34.9 Yes 753/250 100% AcfC accessory colonization factor 20/21 cj0365c CmeC outer membrane channel 31.6 19/20 euk 1479/492  98-100% protein CmeC 23/24 gmN (multidrug efflux system CmeAB cj0404 Cj0404 putative transmembrane 29.5 No 838/278 100% protein cj0420 Cj0420 protein ycel precursor, 28.8 21/22 gmN and 573/191 88-100% polyisoprenoid-binding protein euk cj0427 Cj0427 conserved hypothetical protein 34.5 No 336/111 99-100% cj0428 Cj0428 hypothetical protein 33.1 No 384/127 82-100% cj0588 TlyA putative haemolysin 25.7 No 762/253 82-100% cj0921c Peb1 bifunctional adhesin/ABC 31.7 Yes 780/259 100% transporter aspartate/ 26/27 glutamate-binding protein cj0982c CjaA surface antigen/glutamine 33.9 18/19 840/279 100% ABC transporter substrate- gmN/euk binding protein cj0998c Cj0998c Hypothetical protein 29.7 19/20 euk 573/190 100% 20/21 gmN cj1259 Momp major outer 36.1 Yes 1275/424  100% (PorA) membrane protein 22/23 cj1339c FlaA Flagellin A 37.0 No 1719/572  100% cj1478c CadF outer membrane fibronectin- 31.8 16/17 euk very 960/319 100% binding protein weak cj1534c Dps DNA starvation/stationary 32.0 No 450/149 93-100% phase protection protein, putative bacterioferritin cj1656c Cj1656c putative motility protein 38.3 No 183/60  80-100% cj sequences are from Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168 (ATCC700819), * Analyzed using Blast against C. jejuni NCTC 11168 (ATCC700819), 327, LMG23211, 84-25, H693-13, CG8486, LMG9872, S3, LMG23269, 414, ATCC33560, 2008-831, 1997-4, 260.94. CF93-6, M1, RM221 & 20 additional sequenced C. jejuni genomes euk: in eukaryotic; gmN: in gram negative

These sequences are present in all 39 C. jejuni genomes analyzed and have 82% or more amino acid sequence identity in all these strains. These include cj0034c, cj0113 (Omp18), cj0168c, cj0248, cj0289 (Peb3), cj0365 (CmeC), cj0404, cj0420, cj0427, cj0428, cj0588 (TlyA), cj0921c (Peb1), cj0982c (CjaA), cj0998c, cj1259 (PorA), cj1339c (Fla), cj1478c (CadF), cj1534c (Dps) and cj1656c. Each of the 19 antigens were analyzed using a diversity of bioinformatic analyses to determine which antigens are present in all sequenced C. jejuni strains, which are highly conserved in amino acid sequence, have signal sequences for export and are cell surface localized. Ten of these were selected, including: Cj0113=Omp18 (Refs needed), Cj0289c=Peb3 (120-123), Cj0982c=CjaA (124-128), Cj1259=PorA (120, 121, 123, 126, 129-134), Cj1339c=FlaA (120, 121, 123, 135-144), Cj1478=CadF (120, 121, 129, 132, 144-147), Cj0588 TlyA (148-150), Cj0921c=Peb1 (121-123, 145, 151-157), Cj0998c (U.S. Pat. No. 9,328,148 (150) and Cj1534c=Dps (158, 159) to generate recombinant plasmids using the regulated lysis plasmids pYA4763 and/or pG8R17 depending on whether the antigens did or did not have signal sequences for their secretion from C. jejuni strains.

The encoding sequences were codon optimized to adjust GC contents and optimize expression in Salmonella and also eliminate potential sites in mRNA subject to cleavage by RNase E so as to prolong half-life of mRNA to also enhance level of antigen synthesis. The codon optimized sequences were modified to delete the native signal peptide encoding sequence (if present), add a sequence encoding a His-tag at the C-terminal end to facilitate protein purification and other sequences on the N- and C-terminal ends to specify the nucleotide sequences to be recognized by restriction enzymes to enable cloning into either pYA4763 (if the antigen was not to be secreted by the RASV) (FIG. 3A) or into pG8R17 (FIG. 3B) with the much improved β-lactamase signal sequence (154)(131) if the antigen was to be secreted. The sequences were also designed to enable excision of the His-tag sequence at a later date, if desired. These sequences were synthesized commercially and returned in promoterless pUC ori vectors. The sequences to be cloned were excised from these plasmids and inserted into either of the lysis plasmids that were then electroporated into the E. coli strain χ6212(pYA232) (Table 2). pYA232 encodes the lacI^(q) gene that overproduces Lad to repress antigen synthesis by the recombinant strains in which the antigen-encoding sequences are under the control of P_(trc) that is repressed by Lad. After selection of the recombinant clones by selection for Asd⁺ and purification, viability is verified by ability of the E. coli recombinants to grow in the presence of IPTG to cause derepression and synthesis of the C. jejuni recombinant antigens. Desirably growth is unaltered by antigen synthesis although in some cases growth is slightly retarded due to the high-levels of C. jejuni antigen synthesis. The recombinant lysis plasmids were then isolated from the χ6212 host strain and electroporated into the S. typhimurium vaccine strain χ12341 (ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(BAD) c2 Δpmi-2426 ΔwaaL46 ΔpagL64::TT rhaRS P_(rhaBAD) waaL Δ(wza-wcaNI)-8 ΔrelA197::araC P_(BAD) lacI TT ΔrecF126 ΔsifA26)) (Table 2) again selecting for Asd⁺. After purification, RASVs were tested for rate of growth and synthesis of C. jejuni antigens with and without IPTG, for synthesis of LPS O-antigen dependent on growth in the presence of both mannose and rhamnose and for stability of plasmid maintenance and antigen synthesis after 50 generations of growth under permissive growth in media supplemented with DAP.

FIGS. 4A-4B show western blot analyses of recombinant antigen synthesis in χ12341. The selected recombinant pG8R plasmid is indicated at the top of the Figure and also whether the plasmid was derived from pYA4763 or from pG8R17. Protein was detected using horse radish peroxidase tagged anti His-tag monoclonal antibodies. In some cases, such as with pG8R130 encoding the CadF antigen, the level of CadF protein is low indicating poor synthesis or degradation of the antigen. These problems are sometimes encountered and can be evaluated. Antigen synthesis is thus induced by exposure of RASV strains to IPTG for two hours and then adding 50 μg chloramphenicol; ml to block further protein synthesis. Samples are then taken every hour for four hours to measure antigen levels by western blot analyses. Maintenance of constant antigen levels rules out instability. If instability is observed the amino acid sequence is scrutinized with computer programs to indicate potential cleavage sites by proteases and then new constructs are made with nucleotide changes to eliminate such potential protease cleavage sites. If it appears that antigen synthesis is low, the sequence is examined and new constructs are made to fully establish the basis for the problem and ultimately generate recombinant clones with high-level stable synthesis of the recombinant antigens. In some cases this necessitates modification of the SD sequence to enhance ribosome binding or other alterations in the N-terminal coding sequence to enhance translation efficiency. Since the delivery of multiple recombinant C. jejuni antigens to poultry is examined to select those that reduce cecal titers of challenge strains by 100-fold or more, it is not likely that more than three or four antigens will be needed in the final vaccine. Thus, problems in getting high-level stable synthesis of all potential antigens might not be necessary.

In evaluating RASV constructs to induce protective immunity against Salmonella serotypes prevalent in poultry (Table 5), some of the recombinant plasmids encoding C. jejuni antigens were introduced into χ12452 that is a derivative of χ12341 with ΔsopB and ΔompA mutations. pG8R86 encoding CjaA, pG8R88 encoding Omp18, pG8R89 encoding Peb1, pG8R90 encoding Cj0998c, pG8R102 encoding Peb3, pG8R128 encoding Dps and pG8R129 encoding TlyA have thus been introduced. All of these constructs yield good levels of antigen synthesis as shown in FIG. 4. The relative abilities of the χ12341 constructs are compared versus the χ12452 constructs to protect against infection with the selected Salmonella serotype strains (Table 5). These constructs are also being evaluated for protection to challenge with the C. jejuni strains also listed in Table 5. In order to determine the best combination of C. jejuni antigens to result in the largest reductions in C. jejuni following challenge infection of non-immunized versus immunized chickens, different combinations of strains each delivering a separate C. jejuni antigen are evaluated for additive benefits in reducing cecal titers of challenge strains. In several studies with other RASVs, very similar, if not identical, levels of protective immunity have been found when immunizing with a mixture of two RASVs delivering two different protective antigens, as was observed when a single RASV delivered both antigens.

TABLE 5 Strains used for challenge studies Strain Genotype or Phenotype Reference Salmonella S. Typhimurium UK-1 Wild Type B, 1, 4, [5], 12: i: (179) χ3761 1, 2 S. Enteritidis Wild Type D1 1, 9, 12: g, m (144) χ3550 S. Heidelberg χ3749 Wild Type B 1, 4, [5], 12: r: (180) 1, 2:- S. Montevideo NR35 Wild Type C1 (113) χ3217 6, 7, 14, [54]: g, m, [p], s: [1, 2, 7] S. Hadar NR14 χ3210 Wild Type C2 6, 8: Z₁₀: (113) e, n, x S. Infantis NR29 Wild Type C1 6, 7, 14: r: 1, 5 (113) χ3213 S. Newport NR90 χ3240 Wild Type C2 6, 8, 20: e, h: M. Rosenfeld, 1, 2 Borstel Institute S. Kentucky χ11609 Wild Type C3 8, 20: i: Z6 John Maurer, U of Georgia C. jejuni 81-176 Human isolate, O:23/36 (181) C. jejuni NCTC11168 Human isolate, serotype O:2 (182) C. jejuni 81116 Human and Chicken, Lab (183) (NCTC11828) strain O:6 C. jejuni RM1221 Chicken isolate HS:53 (184, 185) C. jejuni Chicken Chicken (186) Isolate Mix

This research enhances food safety by immunization of poultry with multiple S. typhimurium-derived RASVs delivering multiple protective C. jejuni antigens to reduce colonization and persistence in chickens of Salmonella serotypes and C. jejuni strains to reduce their transmission through the food chain to humans. It is expected the selected vaccine will also enhance poultry farming productivity and decrease use of antibiotics contributing to improved economics of poultry production. Immunization of breeders as well as broiler chicks with these RASVs should reduce, if not eventually eliminate, transmission of Salmonella and C. jejuni through the food chain to humans.

D. Materials and Methods

a. Bacterial Strains, Media and Bacterial Growth.

Attenuated S. typhimurium UK-1 stain induces protective immunity to challenge with all S. typhimurium strains whereas other S. typhimurium strains attenuated with the same mutations often cannot induce protective immunity to other S. typhimurium strains, and definitely not to the highly virulent UK-1 strain (187). Therefore a strain that displays maximal ability to cause disease is used as the parental strains for all attenuated derivative vaccine strains. LB broth and agar is used as complex media for propagation and plating of Salmonella (see 163(188, 189)). Purple broth (Difco), which is devoid of arabinose, mannose and rhamnose, and minimal salts medium and agar are also used (190) (164). Chrome azurol S (CAS) plates is used to evaluate synthesis of Fe acquisition siderophores. MacConkey agar with 0.5% lactose (Lac) and 0.1% arabinose (Ara), when necessary, is used to enumerate bacteria from chickens. Tetrathionate or selenite broth, with or without supplements, is used to enrich for Salmonella from cecal and intestinal contents, the bursa of Fabricius, liver and spleen. Bacterial growth is monitored spectrophotometrically and by plating for colony counts. Sequenced and well-characterized C. jejuni strains NCTC11168, 81-176, 81116 and RM221 and C. jejuni isolates from chickens (Table 5) are used in challenge studies. These strains are cultured microaerophilically (85% N₂, 10% CO₂, 5% O₂) on Mueller-Hinton (MH) medium at 42° C. for 24 h. For C. jejuni isolation from chicken feces and organs, MH agar plates are supplemented with Campylobacter selective supplement (SR117E; Oxoid, Lenexa, Kans.). Bacterial strains for the challenge studies are listed in Table 5.

b. Molecular and Genetic Procedures.

Methods for DNA isolation, restriction enzyme digestion, DNA cloning and use of PCR for construction and verification of vectors are standard (see 172 (191)). DNA sequence analyses were performed at the University of Florida Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research (ICBR). All oligonucleotide and/or gene segment syntheses were performed using codon optimization to enhance translational efficiency in Salmonella and stabilize mRNA by eliminating RNase E cleavage sites to prolong mRNA half-life (192-194) (173-175). Since live vaccines cannot display antibiotic resistance, defined unmarked deletion mutations are generated with and without insertions using suicide vector technologies (see 176-181 Edwards et al. (1998) Gene 207: 149-57(195); Kaniga et al. (1998) Infect. Immun. 66: 5599-606(196); Maloy and Nunn (1981) J. Bacteriol. 145: 1110-2(197); Miller and Mekalanos (1988) J. Bacteriol. 170: 2575-83(198); Ried and Collmer (1987) Gene 57: 239-46(199); and Roland et al. (1999) Avian Dis. 43: 429-41)(200)). Suicide vectors having flanking sequences derived from the S. typhimurium parent χ3761 for generation of all defined mutations listed in Table 3 have been used. These mutations can be introduced using either phage P22HTint transduction (201, 202) (182, 183) of suicide vectors integrated into the deletion mutation in the parental S. typhimurium strain followed by selection for sucrose resistance or by conjugational transfer of suicide vectors using standard methods (201, 202) (195, 203) (176, 185) with the suicide vector donor strains χ7213 (181). All strains constructed are given Chi numbers and stored at −80° C. Plasmid constructs will be evaluated by DNA sequencing and the ability to specify synthesis of C. jejuni proteins using gel electrophoresis and western blot analyses.

c. RASV Strain Characterization.

Vaccine strains have been fully characterized at each step in their construction and after introducing plasmids encoding C. jejuni antigens. Initially, the C. jejuni antigens Peb1 and Omp18 will be evaluated to enable comparative analyses of the different RASV vector strains χ12341 and χ12452. Then, we will evaluate different combinations of two strains to establish a rank order in giving the largest decrease in cecal titers of the C. jejuni challenge strains. Prior to commencing immunization studies, RASVs have been compared with vector control strains for stability of plasmid maintenance, integrity, and antigen synthesis ability when grown in the presence of arabinose and DAP for 50 generations. For constitutive synthesis of the C. jejuni antigens, strains are grown in the presence of IPTG to determine whether it results in poor growth and/or genetic instability. Molecular genetic attributes have been confirmed by PCR and/or Southern blot analyses. Measurement of LPS core and O-antigen has been performed after electrophoresis using silver-stained gels (204) (186). This analysis is performed after every step in any strain construction to eliminate rough variants should they arise. Motility tests and use of specific antisera for flagellar antigens are used to determine the presence of flagella. Final RASVs have been assessed for bile sensitivity, acid tolerance, and the ability to survive in sera with and without complement inactivation (104,111). Complete sensitivity of the RASVs to antibiotics will also be evaluated. Metabolic attributes of vaccine strains are evaluated using API-20E tests.

d. Animal Experimentation.

Testing of RASV strains: Studies on RASVs will be conducted in SPAFAS white leghorn chicks and in Cobb and/or Ross broiler chicks obtained from a commercial hatchery. Newly hatched white leghorn chicks will be immunized orally after which food and water will be provided ad libitum. Broiler chicks will be similarly orally immunized one day after receipt from the hatchery to enable them to acclimate but before feeding. Food will be provided after immunization. Vaccine strains to be evaluated (as well as Salmonella challenge strains) will be grown in LB broth to an OD₆₀₀ of ˜0.9, sedimented by centrifugation at room temperatures and suspended in PBS at densities of 5×10¹⁰ CFU/ml to enable oral doses of up to 1×10⁹ CFU to be administered in 20 μl into chicks. Final RASVs will be evaluated for induction of immune responses that diminish tissue (bursa, liver and spleen) and cecal titers of Salmonella serotype challenge strains and cecal titers of C. jejuni challenge strains. RASVs will be quantitatively enumerated in various tissues as a function of time after oral inoculation.

The NIH RAC and the UF IBC reclassified the RASV strains with the regulated lysis phenotype and complete biological containment for use at level 1 containment, in commercial settings and in outpatients, with initial immunizations in chicks housed in batteries or on litter. However, for challenge with Salmonella serotypes, birds are housed in Federal Design Molded Isolators. All experimental work is conducted in compliance with the regulations and policies of the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and approved by the UF IACUC.

e. Statistical Analysis.

All results are analyzed using the most appropriate statistical test from the SAS program to evaluate the relative significance or lack thereof of results obtained. In specific cases, the staff at the Clinical Translational Science Institute at UF is consulted to provide help with experimental design and statistical analyses services for animal and human studies and trials. Using ten chickens/treatment group will yield a statistical power >0.80. In previous studies it was found that n=10 is an adequate number of birds to obtain statistically significant differences between treatment groups. However, the best RASVs will be evaluated multiple times at two institutions to substantiate conclusions.

Example 2. Construction of RASV Strains

The starting strain for the development of derivative strains was S. typhimurium χ12341 (ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(BAD) c2 Δpmi-2426 ΔwaaL46 ΔpagL64::TT rhaRS P_(rhaBAD) waaL Δ(wza-wcaM)-8 ΔrelA197::araC P_(BAD) lacI TT ΔrecF126 ΔsifA2). This strain was derived in many steps from the S. typhimurium UK-1 parent strain χ3761. Since live vaccines cannot display antibiotic resistance, defined unmarked deletion mutations were generated using suicide vector technologies (see Edwards et al. (1998) Gene 207: 149-57(195); Kaniga et al. (1998) Infect. Immun. 66: 5599-606(196); Maloy and Nunn (1981) J. Bacteriol. 145: 1110-2(197); Miller and Mekalanos (1988) J. Bacteriol. 170: 2575-83(198); Ried and Collmer (1987) Gene 57: 239-46(199); and Roland et al. (1999) Avian Dis. 43: 429-41)(200). Precise deletion and deletion-insertion mutations without interference on adjacent gene functions and without leaving repetitive scars that can contribute to genetic instability can be generated using a combination of molecular genetics, suicide vectors and phage P22-mediated transduction (Kang et al. (2002) J. Bacteriol. 184: 307-12)(205). These procedures were used to introduce the deletion and deletion-insertion mutations listed in Table 3 to construct the strains listed in Table 2 as well as the derivatives described herein into S. typhimurium χ12341. Suicide vectors derived from either pRE112 or pMEG-375 have been and are constructed, as necessary. To prevent an adverse effect by an inserted sequence on the expression of any adjacent genes, strong transcription terminator (TT) isolated from a bacteriophage genome can be inserted in appropriate locations to block such undesirable effects. These sequences can be inserted into the suicide vectors as appropriate for the individual constructions. Upon construction of suicide vectors and creating deletion and deletion-insertion mutations, allele numbers and Chi numbers are assigned to enable distinction. Strains are stored at −80° C.

Construction of RASV Displaying the Conserved C. jejuni N-Glycan.

In this case, the 14 gene C. jejuni pgl operon encoding for synthesis of the highly conserved, cross-protective N-glycan (15, 206) also possessing adjuvant properties that is ligated to and transported by the universal UndPP carrier with attachment to the LPS core will be inserted into a deletion of the cysG gene which is dispensable and a very useful site for insertion of foreign genes. Expression of the pgl operon will be driven by fusion to a LacI-regulatable P_(trc) modified by inclusion of a 35 bp sequence found in promoters of operons encoding many genes involved in polysaccharide synthesis (207, 208), which enables synthesis of long mRNA transcripts. This insertion into ΔcysG will be introduced into the χ12341 derivative χ12445 (Table 2) in which the ΔwaaL46 ΔpagL64::TT rhaRS P_(rhaBAD) waaL mutations have been eliminated since the activity of WaaL is needed to cause ligation and transport of the C. jejuni N-glycan (209, 210). Since regulated cessation of the LPS O-antigen in vivo is desired to better display protective surface antigens, a deletion of the wbaP gene that encodes the enzyme that couples the first sugar galactose of the O-antigen repeat onto the LPS core and an araC P_(araBAD) wbaP into the pagL gene are present in χ12445. Thus, the waaL gene is expressed continuously and the WaaL enzyme will be able to ligate the C. jejuni N-glycan onto the LPS core, the synthesized Cj1433c protein and any C. jejuni or RASV surface proteins such as OmpC and OmpD with the D/E-X₁-N-X₂-T/S sequences that serve as the receptor sequence for N-glycosylation.

This χ12445 strain is further modified by insertion of all or part of the cj1433c gene (209) into a deletion of the ompA gene to generate a fusion of the Cj1433c protein, which has nine repeats of a DLNNT sequence for N-glycan binding, with the ompA-encoded signal sequence. It should be noted that the OmpA protein is one of the most abundant Salmonella surface antigens, is totally unnecessary for colonization and virulence and yet is one of the most immunogenic Salmonella proteins but unable to afford any protective immunity.

Example 3: RASV Displaying C. jejuni N-glycan

One RASV currently being constructed will display the conserved C. jejuni-specific N-glycan antigen and synthesize a C. jejuni outer membrane protein with multiple targets for N-glycosylation. This will be achieved by expression of the 14-gene pgl operon from C. jejuni that encodes the enzymes to synthesize the immuno-protective N-linked glycan attached to many C. jejuni surface proteins on a balanced-lethal plasmid or after insertion into the chromosome and inserting sequences encoding the canonical bacterial N-glycosylation sequence D/E-X-N-Y-T/S in genes encoding RASV surface antigens. This RASV can be further modified to cause in vivo display of conserved cross-reactive antigens for iron and manganese uptake to yield a RASV that will induce cross protective immunity to most Salmonella serotypes while also delivering multiple C. jejuni protein antigens to induce superior protective immunity against C. jejuni.

Construction of RASV Encoding the C. jejuni Pgl Operon.

C. jejuni possesses a 14-gene pgl operon encoding enzymes for the synthesis and placement of a highly conserved, cross-protective N-glycan (15, 206). FIG. 7 depicts the pgl operon. The N-glycan possesses adjuvant properties when ligated to and transported by the universal UndPP carrier for attachment to the LPS core. Due to the length of the pgl operon nucleotide sequence, no attempt has yet been made to optimize codons for expression in Salmonella since this would require codon-optimization and synthesis of segments that would then need to be reassembled into a full-length operon. Although this is possible, the native C. jejuni sequence has been initially cloned and inserted into a modified derivative (pG8R160) of the low copy number Asd⁺ plasmid pYA3337 (pSC101 ori) that possesses the Lad repressible P_(trc) promotor modified by insertion of a 35 bp insertion that enhances complete transcription of long operons (206, 207). Since the pglB gene encodes an oligo polysaccharide transferase, it has a duplicate competing activity to the Salmonella WaaL enzyme and deletion of the pglB gene enabled better addition of the N-glycan to the LPS core (see FIG. 5) to enable its transfer to D/E-X-N-Y-T/S sequences in proteins. The pglB gene in the pG8R160-derived construct pG8R161 was therefore deleted. The inserted pgl operon sequence, which follows, has a ˜30% GC content and still contains codons infrequently used in highly-expressed Salmonella genes. However, this may be beneficial for the well-being of the RASV derivative of χ12445 (ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(araBAD) murA ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(araBAD) c2 Δpmi-2426 Δ(wza-wcaNI)-8 ΔrelA197::araC P_(araBAD) lacI TT ΔrecF126 ΔsifA26 ΔwbaP45 ΔpagL14::TT araC P_(araBAD) wbaP) since over expression of genes even on a low copy number plasmid can result in decreased growth. Thus lower levels of gene expression are likely beneficial.

Construction of RASV Displaying the Conserved C. jejuni N-Glycan.

The pgl operon has been inserted into the low copy number pYA3337 (pSC101 ori) Asd⁺ plasmid pG8R161 (see above) and will be inserted into a deletion of the cysG gene, which is dispensable, and a very useful site for insertion of foreign genes. Expression of the pgl operon is driven by fusion to a LacI-regulatable P_(trc) promoter modified by inclusion of a 35 bp sequence found in promoters of operons encoding many genes involved in polysaccharide synthesis (207, 208). This enables synthesis of long mRNA transcripts. The insertion into ΔcysG will be introduced into χ12445 (Table 2) in which the ΔwaaL46 ΔpagL64::TT rhaRS P_(rhaBAD) waaL mutations have been eliminated since the activity of WaaL is needed to cause ligation and transport of the C. jejuni N-glycan (209, 210). Since regulated cessation of LPS O-antigen synthesis in vivo to better display protective surface antigens, is desired, a deletion of the wbaP gene that encodes the enzyme that couples the first sugar galactose of the O-antigen repeat onto the LPS core was inserted, and an araC P_(araBAD) wbaP was inserted into the pagL gene. The resulting strain derived in multiple steps from χ12341 is χ12445 (ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(araBAD) murA ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(araBAD) c2 Δpmi-2426 Δ(wza-wcaM)-8 ΔrelA 197::araC P_(araBAD) lacI TT ΔrecF126 ΔsifA26 ΔwbaP45 ΔpagL14::TT araC P_(araBAD) wbaP). In this strain either with a plasmid or the cysG insertion of the pgl operon, the waaL gene is expressed continuously and the WaaL enzyme will ligate the C. jejuni N-glycan onto the LPS core, the synthesized Cj1433c protein fusion (see below) and any C. jejuni or RASV surface proteins such as OmpC and OmpD with the D/E-X₁-N-X₂-T/S sequence that serves as the receptor sequence for N-glycosylation. χ12445 is further modified by insertion of the Cj1433c gene (209) into a partial deletion of the ompA gene to generate a fusion of the Cj1433c protein, which has nine repeats of a DLNNT sequence for N-glycan binding, with the ompA-encoded signal sequence. It should be noted that the OmpA protein is one of the most abundant Salmonella surface antigens, is totally unnecessary for colonization and virulence and yet is one of the most immunogenic Salmonella proteins but unable to afford any protective immunity. If desired, the ΔP_(fur)::TT araC P_(BAD) fur and ΔP_(mntR)::TT araC P_(BAD) mntR deletion-insertion mutations can be added to χ12445 to lead to the up-regulation in vivo of all genes needed for iron and manganese uptake. Since immune responses to IROMPs are cross reactive in the Enterobacteriaceae, this strain, as LPS O-antigen synthesis ceases in vivo (due to the pmi mutation and absence of mannose and the araC P_(araBAD) regulated shutoff of the wbaP gene) to better expose surface protein antigens, will induce enhanced cross-protective immunity to Salmonella serotypes and other enteric bacteria.

Construction of Cj1433c-OmpA Fusion and Insertion into the ΔompA11 Mutation in χ12445.

The genome of C. jejuni is AT rich, which causes problems in transcription fidelity in S. typhimurium. The Cj1433c gene is particularly ‘bad’ in that it has a GC content of only 26.4%. Two successive codon optimizations to improve faithful expression of this gene or parts of it in RASV strains were performed. The original and improved nucleotide sequences for Cj14433c gene are given below with indication of the sequences specifying N-glycosylation sites in the protein.

Cj1433c 1107 bp (368 aa) No signal peptide, GC of 26.4%

Identity among various C. jejuni; low (31%-100%) many sequences aligned only with partial sequence

1^(st) line; original (26.4%)

2^(rd) line; best optimized (45.9%)

3^(rd) lime; modified for higher GC (49.1%) serine, valine, glycine (S, V and G) modified

The N-glycan addition sites are underlined

 TATAATATTTTTGGCAGTTTGTTTTAA AGGATGTTTTA 1/1                                     31/11 ATG CAG CGA TTT AAA AAA TGG TTT TTG TCT ATC ATA AAA AAT TTC AAG CAA CAT GAA AAA ATG CAG CGT TTC AAA AAA TGG TTC CTG TCT ATC ATC AAA AAC TTC AAA CAG CAC GAA AAA ATG CAG CGT TTC AAA AAA TGG TTC CTG TCC ATC ATC AAA AAC TTC AAA CAG CAC GAA AAA M   Q   R   F   K   K   W   F   L   S   I   I   K   N   F   K   Q   H   E   K 61/21                                   91/31 ATT AAG ATA GAT CTT AAT AAT ACA AAG ATA GAT CTT AAT AAT ACA AAG ATA GAT CTT AAT ATC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC ATC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC I   K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   D   L   N 121/41                                  151/51 AAT ACA AAG ATA GAT CTT AAT AAT ACA AAG ATA GAT CTT AAT AAT ACA AAG ATA GAT CTT AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG N   T   K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   D   L 181/61                                  211/71 AAT AAT ACA AAG ATA GAT CTT AAT AAT ACA AAG ATA GAT CTT AAT AAT ACA AAG ATA GAT AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC N   N   T   K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   D 241/81                                  271/91 CTT AAT AAT ACA AAG ATA GAA TTA TCG CAA TTA AAA AAA GAG CAC TAT AAA GTA TTA GAT CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAA CTG TCT CAG CTG AAA AAA GAA CAC TAC AAA GTT CTG GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAA CTG TCC CAG CTG AAA AAA GAA CAC TAC AAA GTG CTG GAC L   N   N   T   K   I   E   L   S   Q   L   K   K   E   H   Y   K   V   L   D 301/101                                 331/111 TTT CAT TTA AGA AAA ATT ACA CCT CAA GCT TTT TTA GAG ATT GTT GAA ATT CAT TTA GCC TTC CAC CTG CGT AAA ATC ACC CCG CAG GCG TTC CTG GAA ATC GTT GAA ATC CAC CTG GCG TTC CAC CTG CGT AAA ATC ACC CCG CAG GCG TTC CTG GAA ATC GTG GAA ATC CAC CTG GCG F   H   L   R   K   I   T   P   Q   A   F   L   E   I   V   E   I   H   L   A 361/121                                 391/131 GAA TCA TGT AAT TTA AAT TGT TTT GGT TGT AAT CAT TTT TCA CAA ATA GCT GAA AAA GAA GAA TCT TGC AAC CTG AAC TGC TTC GGT TGC AAC CAC TTC TCT CAG ATC GCG GAA AAA GAA GAA TCC TGC AAC CTG AAC TGC TTC GGC TGC AAC CAC TTC TCC CAG ATC GCG GAA AAA GAA E   S   C   N   L   N   C   F   G   C   N   H   F   S   Q   I   A   E   K   E 421/141                                 451/151 TTT CCA GAT ATA GAA ATT TTT AAA AAA GAT ATG CAA AGA CTT TCA GAA ATA TCT AAA GGT TTC CCG GAC ATC GAA ATC TTC AAA AAA GAC ATG CAG CGT CTG TCT GAA ATC TCT AAA GGT TTC CCG GAC ATC GAA ATC TTC AAA AAA GAC ATG CAG CGT CTG TCC GAA ATC TCT AAA GGC F   P   D   I   E   I   F   K   K   D   M   Q   R   L   S   E   I   S   K   G 481/161                                 511/171 ATT GTC GGA ACT TTT AGA TTG ATG GGT GGC GAA CCT CTT TTA AAT CCC AAT TGT ATA CAG ATC GTT GGT ACC TTC CGT CTG ATG GGT GGT GAA CCG CTG CTG AAC CCG AAC TGC ATC CAG ATC GTG GGC ACC TTC CGT CTG ATG GGC GGC GAA CCG CTG CTG AAC CCG AAC TGC ATC CAG I   V   G   T   F   R   L   M   G   G   E   P   L   L   N   P   N   C   I   Q 541/181                                 571/191 TTT TTT GAC ATT ACA AGA TAT TTT TTT CCA AAA AGT GCC ATT TGG TTG GTA ACT AAT GGT TTC TTC GAC ATC ACC CGT TAC TTC TTC CCG AAA TCT GCG ATC TGG CTG GTT ACC AAC GGT TTC TTC GAC ATC ACC CGT TAC TTC TTC CCG AAA TCC GCG ATC TGG CTG GTG ACC AAC GGC F   F   D   I   T   R   Y   F   F   P   K   S   A   I   W   L   V   T   N   G 601/201                                 631/211 ATT TTA CTT GAT AAG CAA AAT GAG GAT TTT TGG AAT TCA TGC CAA AGG AAT AAA ATG CAA ATC CTG CTG GAC AAA CAG AAC GAA GAC TTC TGG AAC TCT TGC CAG CGT AAC AAA ATG CAG ATC CTG CTG GAC AAA CAG AAC GAA GAC TTC TGG AAC TCC TGC CAG CGT AAC AAA ATG CAG I   L   L   D   K   Q   N   E   D   F   W   N   S   C   Q   R   N   K   M   Q 661/221                                 691/231 ATT CGT CCA ACA AAG TAT CCT ATA AAA ATT AAT TGG GAT TTG ATT AAA GAT AAG TGT GAT ATC CGT CCG ACC AAA TAC CCG ATC AAA ATC AAC TGG GAC CTG ATC AAA GAC AAA TGC GAC ATC CGT CCG ACC AAA TAC CCG ATC AAA ATC AAC TGG GAC CTG ATC AAA GAC AAA TGC GAC I   R   P   T   K   Y   P   I   K   I   N   W   D   L   I   K   D   K   C   D 721/241                                 751/251 CAA TAT GAT ATC CCC TTG ATA TTT TTT AAC AAT GGA GAG TTG GAA AAA ACT TCT TGG AAA CAG TAC GAC ATC CCG CTG ATC TTC TTC AAC AAC GGT GAA CTG GAA AAA ACC TCT TGG AAA CAG TAC GAC ATC CCG CTG ATC TTC TTC AAC AAC GGC GAA CTG GAA AAA ACC TCC TGG AAA Q   Y   D   I   P   L   I   F   F   N   N   G   E   L   E   K   T   S   W   K 781/261                                 811/271 TTT TCT CTA GAT CCT TCT GGA AAT TGT GAT AAT TAC CAT AGT TTT ACA AAT TGT AGT ATG TTC TCT CTG GAC CCG TCT GGT AAC TGC GAC AAC TAC CAC TCT TTC ACC AAC TGC TCT ATG TTC TCC CTG GAC CCG TCC GGC AAC TGC GAC AAC TAC CAC TCC TTC ACC AAC TGC TCC ATG F   S   L   D   P   S   G   N   C   D   N   Y   H   S   F   T   N   C   S   M 841/281                                 871/291 GCA AAT CAC TGT GTT CAG TTT AAA GAT GGA AAG CTA TTT ACT TGT ACC TTT CCT GCA CAT GCG AAC CAC TGC GTT CAG TTC AAA GAC GGT AAA CTG TTC ACC TGC ACC TTC CCG GCG CAC GCG AAC CAC TGC GTG CAG TTC AAA GAC GGC AAA CTG TTC ACC TGC ACC TTC CCG GCG CAC A   N   H   C   V   Q   F   K   D   G   K   L   F   T   C   T   F   P   A   H 901/301                                 931/311 GTA CAG CAT TTT AAT AAA AAG TAT GGA AAT CAT TTT GAA GTT TGC GAA TTT GAC TTT ATT GTT CAG CAC TTC AAC AAA AAA TAC GGT AAC CAC TTC GAA GTT TGC GAA TTC GAC TTC ATC GTG CAG CAC TTC AAC AAA AAA TAC GGC AAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TGC GAA TTC GAC TTC ATC V   Q   H   F   N   K   K   Y   G   N   H   F   E   V   C   E   F   D   F   I 961/321                                 991/331 GAT ATT TAT AAA GCC AAG GAT TAT CAA GAA ATT TTA TTT TTT CTT TCT AAG CCT ATT CCT GAC ATC TAC AAA GCG AAA GAC TAC CAG GAA ATC CTG TTC TTC CTG TCT AAA CCG ATC CCG GAC ATC TAC AAA GCG AAA GAC TAC CAG GAA ATC CTG TTC TTC CTG TCC AAA CCG ATC CCG D   I   Y   K   A   K   D   Y   Q   E   I   L   F   F   L   S   K   P   I   P 1021/341                                1051/351 TTT TGT AGA TAT TGC AAG GTA TCA CAA TGG GCA GAA ATT GGA AAA TGG CGT TCT AGC AAT TTC TGC CGA TAC TGC AAA GTT TCT CAG TGG GCG GAA ATC GGT AAA TGG CGT TCT TCT AAC TTC TGC CGA TAC TGC AAA GTG TCC CAG TGG GCG GAA ATC GGC AAA TGG CGT TCC TCC AAC F   C   R   Y   C   K   V   S   Q   W   A   E   I   G   K   W   R   S   S   N 1081/361 AAA ACA AAA CAT GAA TAT TTA ATT TGA (SEQ ID NO: 71) AAA ACC AAA CAC GAA TAC CTG ATC TGA (SEQ ID NO: 72) AAA ACC AAA CAC GAA TAC CTG ATC TGA (SEQ ID NO: 73) K   T   K   H   E   Y   L   I (SEQ ID NO: 74)

The topology of the OmpA protein indicating all 16 transmembrane sequences was diagramed by Reusch et al., Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2013, 14(6): 10727-10748 (213)(214, 215), the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Based on bioinformatic analyses, a portion of the C. jejuni Cj1433c gene encoding the repeats of the N-glycosylation sites (amino acids 21 to 86) was inserted as a substitute for the loop spanning and including the 3 and 4 transmembrane sequences (amino acids 70 to 107) of OmpA.

Encoding Sequence for Modified OmpA with Insertion of Portion of Cj1433c Sequence

Beta loops 3 and 4 of OmpA (aa 70-107) are deleted and 66 aa (aa21 to 86) of Cj1433c are inserted that specify the nine repeats for N-glycosylation.

1/1                                     31/11 ATG AAA AAG ACA GCT ATC GCG ATT GCA GTG GCA CTG GCT GGT TTC GCT ACC GTA GCG CAG  M   K   K   T   A   I   A   I   A   V   A   L   A   G   F   A   T   V   A   Q 61/21                                   91/31 GCC GCT CCG AAA GAT AAC ACC TGG TAC GCT GGT GCT AAA CTG GGC TGG TCT CAG TAC CAT A   A   P   K   D   N   T   W   Y   A   G   A   K   L   G   W   S   Q   Y   H 121/41                                  151/51 GAC ACC GGC TTC ATT CAC AAT GAT GGC CCG ACT CAT GAA AAC CAA CTG GGC GCA GGT GCT  D   T   G   F   I   H   N   D   G   P   T   H   E   N   Q   L   G   A   G   A 181/61                                  211/71 TTT GGT GGT TAC CAG GTT AAC CCG TAT gtc gac ATC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA F   G   G   Y   Q   V   N   P   Y   V   D   I   K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K                            OmpA aa69                            Cj1433 aa21-86 241/81                                  271/91 ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC  I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   D   L   N   N   T 301/101                                 331/111 AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   D   L   N   N 361/121                                 391/131 ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC GAC CTG AAC AAC ACC AAA ATC ctg cag ATC  T   K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   D   L   N   N   T   K   I   L   Q   I                                                                    OmpA aa108 421/141                                 451/151 ACT GAC GAT CTG GAC GTT TAT ACC CGT CTG GGT GGT ATG GTA TGG CGT GCA GAC ACC AAG T   D   D   L   D   V   Y   T   R   L   G   G   M   V   W   R   A   D   T   K 481/161                                 511/171 TCT AAC GTC CCT GGC GGC CCG TCT ACT AAA GAC CAC GAC ACC GGC GTT TCC CCG GTA TTC 541/181                                 571/191 S   N   V   P   G   G   P   S   T   K   D   H   D   T   G   V   S   P   V   F GCG GGC GGT ATC GAG TAT GCT ATC ACC CCT GAA ATC GCA ACC CGT CTG GAA TAC CAG TGG A   G   G   I   E   Y   A   I   T   P   E   I   A   T   R   L   E   Y   Q   W 601/201                                 631/211 ACT AAC AAC ATC GGT GAT GCC AAC ACC ATC GGC ACC CGT CCG GAC AAC GGC CTG CTG AGC  T   N   N   I   G   D   A   N   T   I   G   T   R   P   D   N   G   L   L   S 661/221                                 691/231 GTA GGT GTT TCC TAC CGT TTC GGC CAG CAA GAA GCT GCT CCG GTA GTA GCT CCG GCA CCA V   G   V   S   Y   R   F   G   Q   Q   E   A   A   P   V   V   A   P   A   P 721/241                                 751/251 GCT CCG GCT CCG GAA GTA CAG ACC AAG CAC TTC ACT CTG AAG TCT GAC GTA CTG TTC AAC  A   P   A   P   E   V   Q   T   K   H   F   T   L   K   S   D   V   L   F   N 781/261                                  811/271 TTC AAC AAA TCT ACC CTG AAG CCG GAA GGC CAG CAG GCT CTG GAT CAG CTG TAC AGC CAG F   N   K   S   T   L   K   P   E   G   Q   Q   A   L   D   Q   L   Y   S   Q 841/281                                 871/291 CTG AGC AAC CTG GAT CCG AAA GAC GGT TCC GTT GTC GTT CTG GGC TTC ACT GAC CGT ATC  L   S   N   L   D   P   K   D   G   S   V   V   V   L   G   F   T   D   R   I 901/301                                  931/311 GGT TCT GAC GCT TAC AAC CAG GGT CTG TCC GAG AAA CGT GCT CAG TCT GTT GTT GAT TAC G   S   D   A   Y   N   Q   G   L   S   E   K   R   A   Q   S   V   V   D   Y 961/321                                 991/331 CTG ATC TCC AAA GGT ATT CCG TCT GAC AAA ATC TCC GCA CGT GGT ATG GGC GAA TCT AAC  L   I   S   K   G   I   P   S   D   K   I   S   A   R   G   M   G   E   S   N 1021/341                                1051/351 CCG GTT ACC GGC AAC ACC TGT GAC AAC GTG AAA CCT CGC GCT GCC CTG ATC GAT TGC CTG P   V   T   G   N   T   C   D   N   V   K   P   R   A   A   L   I   D   C   L 1081/361                                1111/371 GCT CCG GAT CGT CGC GTA GAG ATC GAA GTT AAA GGC GTT AAA GAC GTG GTA ACT CAG CCG  A   P   D   R   R   V   E   I   E   V   K   G   V   K   D   V   V   T   Q   P 1141/381 CAG GCT TAA (SEQ ID NO: 75) Q   A   * (SEQ ID NO: 76) OmpA Δ70-107::Cj1433 aa21-86 ATGAAAAAGACAGCTATCGCGATTGCAGTGGCACTGGCTGGTTTCGCTACCGTAGCGCAGGCCGCTCCGAAAGAT AACACCTGGTACGCTGGTGCTAAACTGGGCTGGTCTCAGTACCATGACACCGGCTTCATTCACAATGATGGCCCG ACTCATGAAAACCAACTGGGCGCAGGTGCTTTTGGTGGTTACCAGGTTAACCCGTATGTCGACATCAAAATCGAC CTGAACAACACCAAAATCGACCTGAACAACACCAAAATCGACCTGAACAACACCAAAATCGACCTGAACAACACC AAAATCGACCTGAACAACACCAAAATCGACCTGAACAACACCAAAATCGACCTGAACAACACCAAAATCGACCTG AACAACACCAAAATCGACCTGAACAACACCAAAATCCTGCAGATCACTGACGATCTGGACGTTTATACCCGTCTG GGTGGTATGGTATGGCGTGCAGACACCAAGTCTAACGTCCCTGGCGGCCCGTCTACTAAAGACCACGACACCGGC GTTTCCCCGGTATTCGCGGGCGGTATCGAGTATGCTATCACCCCTGAAATCGCAACCCGTCTGGAATACCAGTGG ACTAACAACATCGGTGATGCCAACACCATCGGCACCCGTCCGGACAACGGCCTGCTGAGCGTAGGTGTTTCCTAC CGTTTCGGCCAGCAAGAAGCTGCTCCGGTAGTAGCTCCGGCACCAGCTCCGGCTCCGGAAGTACAGACCAAGCAC TTCACTCTGAAGTCTGACGTACTGTTCAACTTCAACAAATCTACCCTGAAGCCGGAAGGCCAGCAGGCTCTGGAT CAGCTGTACAGCCAGCTGAGCAACCTGGATCCGAAAGACGGTTCCGTTGTCGTTCTGGGCTTCACTGACCGTATC GGTTCTGACGCTTACAACCAGGGTCTGTCCGAGAAACGTGCTCAGTCTGTTGTTGATTACCTGATCTCCAAAGGT ATTCCGTCTGACAAAATCTCCGCACGTGGTATGGGCGAATCTAACCCGGTTACCGGCAACACCTGTGACAACGTG AAACCTCGCGCTGCCCTGATCGATTGCCTGGCTCCGGATCGTCGCGTAGAGATCGAAGTTAAAGGCGTTAAAGAC GTGGTAACTCAGCCGCAGGCTTAA (SEQ ID NO: 77)

FIGS. 8A-8B depict the structural aspects of the modified S. typhimurium OmpA protein with the insertion of the Cj1433c gene encoded sequences specifying the nine repeats to which the C. jejuni conserved N-glycan is attached as a consequence of the C. jejuni pgl operon and the activity of the Salmonella WaaL enzyme. The resulting construct is currently being introduced into a suicide vector that will be used to introduce the sequence encoding this Cj14433c-OmpA fusion into the χ12445 chromosome in place of the wild-type ompA gene. This strain will then be further modified to deliver a lysis plasmid encoding the C. jejuni antigens found in earlier studies to be maximally effective in reducing cecal titers of C. jejuni challenge strains. Experiments as described above by immunization of white leghorn and broiler chicks will be repeated.

Production of IROMPS and MnOMPs to Enhance Protective Immunity Against Salmonella Serotypes and Other Enteric Bacteria.

The ΔP_(fur)::TT araC P_(BAD) fur mutation was inserted into χ12341 to yield χ12396 (Table 2) and the ΔP_(mntR)::TT araC P_(BAD) mntR deletion-insertion mutation (Table 3) will also be inserted to lead to the up-regulation in vivo of all genes needed for iron and manganese uptake. Since immune responses to IROMPs are cross reactive in the Enterobacteriaceae, this strain, as LPS O-antigen synthesis ceases in vivo (due to the pmi mutation and absence of mannose and the araC P_(araBAD) regulated shutoff of the waaL gene) to better expose surface protein antigens, will induce enhanced cross-protective immunity to Salmonella serotypes and other enterics.

Example 4: Evaluation of RASV-Cj Strains in White Leghorn Chickens

Evaluation of Ability to Induce Cross-Protective Immunity to Salmonella Serotypes, to Prevent Organ Colonization, and to Reduce Cecal Titers.

RASV-Cj will be evaluated delivering CjaA specified by the pG8R17 T2SS vector pG8R86 (FIG. 8) comparing χ12341 with the derivative of χ12396 described in Example 2. The protocol described by Hassan and Curtiss (113) will be followed. The CjaA antigen is selected for these comparative studies since in an unpublished study with one of the new RASV strains there was a 3- to 4-log reduction in cecal titers of the C. jejuni challenge strain. In addition, CjaA, which has been evaluated in some 23 prior studies, contains a sequence that should permit glycosylation with the C. jejuni N-glycan in the RASV-Cj strain. Day-of-hatch white leghorn chicks will be orally immunized and provided a second immunization at 10 days. At six weeks of age, ten immunized chicks and ten unimmunized chicks will each be challenged with 1×10⁶ CFU of each of the eight serotypes of Salmonella listed in Table 5 (typhimurium, Enteritidis, Heidelberg, Montevideo, Hadar, Infantis, Newport and Kentucky). Four and eleven days after challenge, five birds in each group will be euthanized by CO₂ asphyxiation and titers of challenge and vaccine strains in liver, spleen, ovary (if present), bursa of Fabricius and cecum quantitated by direct plating on SS agar and by selenite-cysteine broth enrichment (113). The enrichment broth will detect bacterial titers as low as 5 per gram of tissue or contents. The biological containment features of the RASVs will preclude their detection.

Second Stage Studies.

These studies are repeated with a mixture of the two RASVs each delivering two or three validated protective C. jejuni antigens. The same immunization protocol described above will be used. This will serve as an independent repeat of the first experiment and establish the level of repeatability of the initial results. Titers of S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis challenge strains will also be evaluated 10, 20 and 30 days after challenge by immunizing with a combination of the two RASVs each delivering multiple C. jejuni protein antigens. Another small study will be directed at determining whether a single immunization is sufficient and determining how soon after primary immunization protective immunity to Salmonella serotypes is detectable in challenge studies.

Example 5: Evaluation of RASV-Cj Strains in Broiler Chickens

RASV-Cj strains comprising lysis plasmids encoding each of the C. jejuni antigens listed in Table 4 will be evaluated to determine the level of protection against C. jejuni colonization and persistence. Initial tests will evaluate whether χ12341 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) or χ12452 (FIG. 5) delivery of the CjaA antigen gives the best results. The best delivery strain will then be used in subsequent evaluations. Protection will be assessed by measuring CFU in cecal contents and the results correlated with antibody responses in both serum and feces. Plasmids encoding C. jejuni antigens resulting in the greatest levels of protection will be used to evaluate protection against heterologous challenge using well characterized C. jejuni strains, as well as to a cocktail of chicken isolates that are frequently isolated from poultry in the US (listed in Table 5).

Newly hatched day-old broiler chicks will be obtained from hatcheries, and prior to use, chicks will be confirmed negative for Campylobacter by culturing cloacal swabs on MH agar plates and by PCR

6 groups of 3-day old broiler chickens (n=10/group) will be immunized with 1×10⁹ CFU/chick orally with different RASV-Cj strains delivering C. jejuni antigens (Table 4). Control groups of 10 birds will be inoculated with RASV-Cj with an empty plasmid or be non-vaccinated. Chicks will be re-inoculated with RASVs 10 days after the first inoculation. Two weeks after the boost, chicks will be challenged with C. jejuni strain 81-176 orally (1×10⁵ CFU/chick in 200 μl of PBS). Our previous work using 81-176 and a chicken C. jejuni cocktail indicated that this dose results in 100% colonization (186, 211). One week following challenge, chickens will be killed, cecal contents collected, homogenized in PBS, and plated on MH agar+CSS plates. Plates will be incubated at 42° C. microaerobically for 3 days and CFU/g of cecal contents determined to assess protection against C. jejuni challenge comparing titers from the vaccinated groups compared to the non-vaccinated control groups. It is expected that several RASV-Cj constructs will lead to over a 100-fold reduction in cecal C. jejuni colonization titers.

Blood, bile and fecal samples will be collected, IgY responses in serum and IgA responses in feces will be measured by indirect ELISA as previously described (212). Briefly, microtiter plates will be coated with purified recombinant C. jejuni proteins, washed, blocked with Sea Block blocking buffer (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.). Test samples (serum, bile or feces) will be added, the plates washed and anti-C. jejuni antibodies detected with biotinylated goat anti-chicken IgG or IgA antibody (Bethyl Laboratories, Montgomery, Tex.). Plates will be washed and streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase solution (Southern Biotech, Birmingham, Ala.) will be added. Color development will be detected using ABTS (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) containing 0.03% H₂O₂ in citrate buffer, pH 4.35. After color development, the reaction will be stopped with 1% SDS solution and OD₄₀₅ measured using a microplate reader (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.).

Delivery of multiple C. jejuni antigens found to confer reduced challenge titers following immunization are tested. Plasmids encoding the multiple antigens will be constructed and introduced into the RASV-Cj strains. Studies will involve comparing one RASV versus a mixture of the two delivering the same or even different C. jejuni antigens. Immunizing with one versus two doses will be compared. If results with a single dose give satisfactory results, lower oral doses will be investigated. Ability of these RASVs to confer protection against C. jejuni cecal colonization will be assessed as described above. The protective response will also be correlated with antibody response in sera and feces as above. Control groups of chickens inoculated with a RASV carrying an empty plasmid and challenged and non-vaccinated unchallenged chickens will be used.

RASVs selected from the above studies are tested for whether they confer protection against challenge with heterologous C. jejuni strains. RASV-immunized chickens will be challenged with commonly used well-characterized C. jejuni strains (NC11168, 81116, RM221 and 81-176). In addition, chickens will be challenged with a cocktail of C. jejuni isolates of poultry origin (5 isolates that are frequently isolated from poultry). Chickens (n=10/group) will be vaccinated with selected RASVs (1×10⁹ CFU/chicken orally) by the best means as established by the studies described above and challenged with 1×10⁵ CFU/chick in 200 μl of PBS of C. jejuni strains. For the cocktail, equal concentrations of each strain (1×10⁵) will be mixed in PBS for challenge. Following challenge, protection against cecal colonization and antibody responses in serum and feces will be assessed as above. Groups of chickens inoculated with RASVs carrying an empty plasmid and challenged with C. jejuni as well as a group of non-vaccinated non-challenged chickens will be used as controls.

In regard to safety and utility, multiple mutations in all S. typhimurium strains are included that preclude biofilm formation and inability to colonize gallstones in presence of bile. These same mutations decrease ability for persistence in the intestinal tracts of mice and chickens. S. typhi strains with some of the same mutations in the proposed S. typhimurium RASVs were unable to cause bacteremia in humans and were not shed in a viable cultivatable form in stools following oral administration of up to 10¹⁰ CFU (150). S. typhimurium strains of the same genotype were safe in newborn (146, 147), pregnant, malnourished and immunocompromised mice. In addition, most of the strains undergo regulated delayed lysis which precludes persistence in vivo and viability if shed in feces (142). Also, infectivity and full virulence of these RASVs requires the presence of the sugars arabinose, mannose and rhamnose and thus inability if shed to infect or immunize animals or humans. New means to evaluate and demonstrate safety and efficacy of RASVs are continually devised, often with productive input from APHIS and FDA. Studies on survival of RASVs in water (with and without chlorination), as a consequence of desiccation, in sewage, in feces, in whole blood, in sera with and without complement inactivation, and in monocyte-derived macrophages have been performed. Such testing of S. typhimurium RASVs and in chicken feces, body fluids and cells will ultimately be done.

While Salmonella is a category 2 pathogen with research conducted using BSL2 laboratory facilities and procedures and animal studies in ABSL2 facilities, the NIH RAC has reviewed the safety properties of our RASVs and is permitting conduct of all studies with immunization to be done under level 1 containment, in commercial agricultural settings and in outpatient human volunteers. This approval was contingent upon concurrence by the Institutional Biosafety Committee and the UF IBC has given such approval. However, challenge of immunized animals must still be conducted under the level of containment needed for that particular pathogen.

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What is claimed is:
 1. A recombinant derivative of a Salmonella enterica pathogenic bacterium comprising: (a) a regulated-delayed attenuation conferred by a Δpmi mutation; (b) a regulated-delayed expression of an antigen of interest conferred by a ΔrelA::araC P_(BAD) lacI TT deletion-insertion mutation; (c) a regulated-delayed lysis in vivo phenotype conferred by a ΔP_(murA)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA deletion-insertion mutation and a ΔasdA::TT araC P_(BAD) c2 deletion-insertion mutation; and (d) a nucleic acid sequence encoding one or more protein antigens of Campylobacter jejuni selected from the group consisting of Peb1, CjaA, Dps, TlyA, Omp18, Cj0998c, Cj0034c, Cj0168c, Cj0248, Peb3, CmeC, Cj0404, Cj0420, Cj0427, Cj0428, PorA, FlaA, CadF, and Cj1656c.
 2. The bacterium of claim 1, wherein the bacterium further comprises a ΔsifA mutation.
 3. The recombinant bacterium of claim 2, wherein the ΔsifA mutation is ΔsifA26.
 4. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant bacterium of claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 5. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 4, further comprising a second recombinant derivative of a pathogenic bacterium, wherein said bacterium comprises a nucleic acid encoding a second antigen of interest.
 6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 5, wherein the second antigen of interest is a Salmonella antigen.
 7. A method for inducing protective immunity in an avian, the method comprising administering to the avian an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition of claim
 4. 8. The recombinant bacterium of claim 1, wherein the Δpmi mutation is Δpmi-2426.
 9. The recombinant bacterium of claim 1, wherein the ΔrelA::araC P_(BAD) lacI TT deletion-insertion mutation is ΔrelA197::araC P_(BAD) lacI TT or ΔrelA198::araC P_(BAD) lacI TT.
 10. The recombinant bacterium of claim 1, wherein the araC P_(BAD) murA deletion-insertion mutation is ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA.
 11. The recombinant bacterium of claim 1, wherein the ΔasdA::TT araC P_(BAD) c2 deletion-insertion mutation is ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(BAD) c2.
 12. The recombinant bacterium of claim 1, where in the bacterium comprises (a) Δpmi-2426, ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA, ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(BAD) c2 and ΔrelA197 araC P_(BAD) lacI TT; (b) Δpmi-2426, ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA, ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(BAD) c2 and ΔrelA198 araC P_(BAD) lacI TT; (c) Δpmi-2426, ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA, ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(BAD) c2, ΔrelA197:: araC P_(BAD) lacI TT, and ΔsifA26; or (d) Δpmi-2426, ΔP_(murA25)::TT araC P_(BAD) murA, ΔasdA27::TT araC P_(BAD) c2, ΔrelA198 araC P_(BAD) lacI TT, and ΔsifA26.
 13. The recombinant bacterium of claim 1, wherein the bacterium further comprises a deletion of the wbaP gene.
 14. The bacterium of claim 13, wherein the bacterium further comprises a pgl operon, with or without a deletion of a pglB gene.
 15. The recombinant bacterium of claim 14, wherein a C. jejuni N-glycan is attached to the one or more protein antigens of Campylobacter jejuni.
 16. The recombinant bacterium of claim 14, wherein a C. jejuni N-glycan is attached to one or more Salmonella proteins or LPS core antigens.
 17. The bacterium of claim 14, wherein the bacterium comprises insertion of all or part of the cj1433c gene into a deletion of the ompA gene to generate a fusion of the Cj1433c protein. 